Program delivery update: Removing in-Canada biometrics exemption
December 3, 2019
With the rollout of the in-Canada enrolment network on December 3, 2019, the following note has been removed from the instructions:
Note: There is a temporary public policy exemption for in-Canada applicants. More specifically, foreign nationals who are eligible to apply from within Canada would normally provide their biometrics as part of an application or request for
- a temporary resident visa (TRV)
- a work permit or study permit
- a temporary resident permit
- permanent residence
However, since there is currently no biometric service delivery network within Canada, these applicants are exempt from the biometrics requirement until such time as the public policy is lifted. Applicants who apply from within Canada, but whose applications are not eligible to be processed from within Canada, are not covered under this public policy exemption. Those applicants are required to leave Canada in order to submit their biometrics as part of their application.
Starting December 3, 2019, foreign nationals applying from within Canada to extend or renew their visitor visa, work permit or study permit or applying for temporary or permanent residence must provide biometrics.
In addition, the following clarification has been added about biometrics collection:
Service Canada collects biometrics in Canada on behalf of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Applicants who receive a biometrics instruction letter can give their biometrics at any of the 58 designated Service Canada locations across the country.
To give biometrics in Canada, applicants will need to book an appointment in advance through an online appointment booking tool at canada.ca/service-canada-appointment.
Applicants, including those in Canada who will be travelling outside the country, can also give their biometrics at a visa application centre (VAC) or an application support center in the United States.
Updated instructions
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