Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s
Forward Regulatory Plan
New regulations amending the Citizenship Regulations and Citizenship Regulations No. 2 to implement the systematic collection and use of biometric information for citizenship processing
Enabling Acts: Citizenship Act
Description
New regulations are being proposed to the Citizenship Regulations and Citizenship Regulations No. 2 (the Regulations), in order to implement the new citizenship biometric legislative authorities that received Royal Assent in June 2023 as part of the Budget Implementation Act, No. 1.
The objective of the regulations is to enable the Citizenship Program to systematically collect and use biometric information for citizenship grant processing. The use of biometric information will enable the Citizenship Program to improve client service, implement processing efficiencies and strengthen program integrity and identity management practices.
Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)
Regulatory cooperation efforts are not required. The initiative is not part of a formal bilateral agreement or a formal regulatory cooperation agreement.
Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses
The proposed regulatory change is expected to have limited to no impact on businesses, trade or investment.
Under the current process, if a citizenship grant applicant is required to submit their fingerprints, the applicant is directed to enroll their biometric information at an approved location on IRCC's website. Once new regulations are implemented, biometric enrollments for citizenship grant applicants are expected to take place at Service Canada locations across Canada.
Enabling the Citizenship Program to systematically collect and use biometric information for citizenship grant processing will help to ensure a safe and efficient immigration system. The changes would enhance program integrity and identity management practices, which in turn will provide additional security to Canada and Canadians and improve service to clients of the Citizenship Program by creating efficiencies and expedite processing.
Consultations
This is a long-term regulatory initiative. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will target pre-publication of the amendments in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in 2026-27, with final publication targeting late 2027. Stakeholder feedback will be sought through the pre-publication process.
Further information
Other related information:
Departmental contact information
Stephanie Jay-Tosh
Acting Senior Director, Citizenship Legislative Policy
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Email: Stephanie.Jay-Tosh@cic.gc.ca
Telephone: 343‑552‑5463
Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan: July 16, 2025