Fingerprint verification at Primary Inspection Kiosks now available at Edmonton International Airport

News release

July 15, 2019 – Edmonton, Alberta – Canada Border Services Agency / Edmonton Airports

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Edmonton Airports are pleased to announce the implementation of fingerprint verification for biometrically enrolled Foreign Nationals and Permanent Residents using Primary Inspection Kiosks at Edmonton International Airport (YEG).

The Government of Canada is now using fingerprint verification technology through its Primary Inspection Kiosks to establish that a person seeking entry into Canada is the same person that was issued their visa, permit or permanent residence documentation. This will prevent individuals from using a stolen, borrowed, or altered visa or permit on their attempt to enter Canada.

Canadian Citizens, citizenship applicants as well as United States (U.S.) citizens are not required to provide biometrics and are therefore not required to complete fingerprint verification while seeking entry to Canada.

Biometric enrollment became a requirement for new visa and permit applicants from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East effective July 31, 2018, while applicants from Asia, Asia Pacific, and the Americas became subject to the same requirements starting December 31, 2018.

All temporary resident visa, work permit, study permit, and temporary resident permit applicants (excluding U.S. Citizens) and all Permanent Resident applicants are required to provide biometrics (fingerprints and digital photograph) when submitting an application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or to the CBSA.

Fingerprint verification with Primary Inspection Kiosks will be phased in at all major Canadian airports throughout 2019.

Biometric-enabled Primary Inspection Kiosks are next generation technology that offer self-service options for international air travellers arriving in Canada.

The Primary Inspection Kiosks at YEG strengthen border security and simplify the border experience.

Quotes

"The CBSA is pleased to work with our partner, the Edmonton Airport Authority, on the Primary Inspection Kiosks expansion project. The addition of fingerprint verification capabilities to Primary Inspection Kiosks protects the safety and security of Canadians and foreign nationals arriving at the airport.” - Mark Zelenika, A/Regional Director General, CBSA Prairie Region

“Safety and Security always have to be the top priority for our airport,” said Tom Ruth, EIA President and CEO. “We appreciate CBSA making this advancement. This new technology fits perfectly into EIA’s Digital Strategy by making the entry process safer and more efficient.”