How to give your fingerprints and photo
If you need to give biometrics as part of your application, follow the steps below.
On this page
- Step 1: Pay the biometrics fee
- Step 2: Get the biometric instruction letter
- Step 3: Go to an official biometric collection site
Step 1: Pay the biometrics fee
You must pay the biometrics fee when you apply, or you may experience delays.
Biometrics fees
The fee you pay depends on your situation:
- Individual applicant: CAN$85
- Families applying at the same time (2 or more members of a family): maximum total fee of CAN$170
- Family members eligible for this fee include
- your spouse and common-law partner
- your dependent children or their dependent children
- Family members eligible for this fee include
- Groups of 3 or more performing artists and their staff applying for work permits at the same time: maximum total fee of CAN$255
- 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
Step 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 how to book a biometrics appointment
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 identity document (or 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
Use the BIL you received as part of your current application
If you try to give your biometrics with a BIL from a previous application
- there may be delays in the processing of your current application or
- your current application may be refused
Step 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 visa application centre, Service Canada (Canada only) or a United States (U.S.) Application Support Center (U.S. only) location.
Tips to get the best photos and fingerprints during your biometrics appointment
What can be included
- 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
- 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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