Canada’s Biometric Requirement

Planning to visit, study or work in Canada?

This brochure shows you how to provide your biometrics (fingerprints and photograph).

Fingerprints

When having your fingerprints taken, please follow the guidelines below.

Right

• Right fingers flat on scanner
• Left fingers flat on scanner
• Thumbs flat on scanner

Wrong

• Fingers at wrong angle
• Thumbs at wrong angle
• Fingers bent
• Fingers too close together
• All four fingers not on scanner
• Decoration

Photograph

When having your photograph taken, please follow the guidelines below.

Do

• Face the camera directly
• Keep your expression neutral
• Keep your hair off your face
• Keep scarves or hats off your face
• Remove your eyeglasses

Do not

• Do not tilt or angle your head
• Do not smile or frown
• Do not cover your face with your hair
• Do not cover your face with a scarf or hat
• Do not wear your eyeglasses

Did you know?

Injuries and medical conditions

Some injuries and medical conditions can prevent you from being able to provide your 10 fingerprints or photograph.

If you have a temporary injury or medical condition on your face or hands, you should wait until it has healed before you give your biometrics.

If you have a permanent injury or medical condition on your face or hands, your photograph will still be taken and you will be asked to provide as many fingerprints as possible.

The biometric fee

In addition to the regular visa application fee, a biometric fee of $85 CAD per person will apply. However, families applying together for a visitor visa will only pay a maximum biometric fee of up to $170 CAD.

Whether you apply online or at a Visa Application Centre (VAC), VAC staff will ask to see proof that you have paid the biometric fee before taking your fingerprints and photograph.

Your biometric fee will also cover the cost of application handling at a VAC. The VAC will make sure your application is complete, send it to the visa office and advise you once it has been returned.

When entering Canada

A border services officer will compare you to the photograph in your passport or travel document and to the photograph taken when you provided your biometrics. You may also be asked to provide your fingerprints again to confirm your identity.

Your privacy will be protected

Your fingerprints, photograph and personal information will be encrypted and stored in a secure Government of Canada database, and will be handled in line with Canada’s privacy laws.

For more information on biometrics