How to give your fingerprints and photo
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Steps involved in giving your biometrics
1. Pay the biometric fee
You must pay the biometric fee when you apply, or you may experience delays.
Transit visa applications
There is no fee to give biometrics for a transit visa.
How to pay the biometrics fee after you’ve applied
To pay for your biometrics fee after you already applied:
If you applied online, you should
- pay online
- upload your receipt in your IRCC secure account or by using our web form
If you applied on paper, you should
- pay online
- upload your receipt using our web form
2. Get the biometric instruction letter
After you pay the biometric fee, you’ll get a biometric instruction letter (BIL) that
- confirms that you need to give your biometrics
- tells you where you can go to give your biometrics
When you go to your biometrics appointment, you must bring both of the following documents:
- your BIL
- your valid passport
Asylum claimants and protected persons with no passport
If you’ve been issued a biometric instruction letter but you don’t have a passport, you must bring one of the following documents to your appointment:
- your Refugee Protection Claimant Document (valid or expired) with your photo attached
- a certified copy of your passport
This exception applies to you if you’re
- an asylum claimant, and your claim
- is in process
- has been found ineligible
- has been rejected by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB)
- a protected person, including people
- whose asylum claims have been accepted by the IRB
- who have been successful in a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment application
3. Go to an official biometric collection site
There are 4 things you need to know before you give your biometrics:
- You must give your biometrics in person.
- You need to make an appointment to give your biometrics.
- Walk-in or emergency appointments may be accommodated, but booking ahead is best.
- Booking an appointment is free.
- Book your appointment as soon as you get your BIL.
- To avoid fraud, use our official website to find your local VAC or Service Canada location.
Tips to get the best photos and fingerprints during your biometrics appointment
What can be included in your photo
- glasses
- Your eyes must be clearly visible.
- There must be no glare on the lenses.
- hair down or up
- Your hair must be off your face, so that the edges of your face are visible.
- hats and head coverings worn daily for religious beliefs or medical reasons
- Your full face must be clearly visible.
- The head covering must not create shadows on your face.
- a wheelchair, if you place a white blanket behind your head
- Your facial features and the edges of your face must both be clearly visible.
What can’t be included in your photo
- sunglasses or tinted eye glasses
- This includes prescription lenses, even when your eyes are clearly visible.
- hats and head coverings not worn daily for religious beliefs or medical reasons
- hands must be henna-free
- Temporary hand injuries such as cuts, cracks on your fingers must be healed before giving your biometrics.
Note: If we can’t get high-quality fingerprints during your appointment, you may need to give your biometrics again at a later date.
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