Coronavirus disease (COVID-19): Biometrics
If you’re affected by high demand for appointments in Europe
We’ve put special measures in place to help you:
To find out what to do for your biometrics, tell us more about your situation.
Biometrics collection in Canada
As a temporary measure, we’ve made some changes to biometrics requirements.
- You may be exempt from having to give your biometrics.
- Don’t pay the biometrics fee if you’re exempt.
- If you did pay the fee and you’re exempt, we’ll automatically refund it once we finalize your application.
- Don’t pay the biometrics fee if you’re exempt.
Biometrics exemptions for applicants in Canada
As a temporary measure, you’re exempt from giving biometrics if either of the following situations apply to you.
Applying for temporary residence
You’re exempt from giving biometrics if you’re both
- in Canada, and
- applying or have an application in progress
- to extend your stay as a student, worker or visitor
- to restore your status as a student, worker or visitor
- for a work or study permit
- for a visitor visa
- for a temporary resident permit
This exemption applies even if
- your application form for a work permit, study permit or visitor visa says it’s for applicants outside Canada
- our online application system asks you to pay a biometric fee (CAN$85)
This exemption does not apply if you’re outside Canada.
Applying for permanent residence and have given biometrics in the last 10 years
You’re exempt from giving biometrics if you have already both
- applied or are applying for permanent residence, and
- given your biometrics to us within the last 10 years
How to book an appointment to give your biometrics
Step 1: Wait until we send you your biometric instruction letter.
Step 2: Book your appointment using the eService Canada Appointment Booking Tool.
Step 3: Make sure the Service Canada office is open before you go to your appointment.
If the Service Canada office is closed, you’ll receive an automated email telling you that your appointment has been cancelled. If that happens, you can book another appointment right away for a later date.
Step 4: Bring the right documents to your biometrics appointment.
When you go to your appointment, you must bring both
- your biometric instruction letter, and
- a valid passport or travel document
Step 5: Follow the health and safety measures.
Someone will greet you when you arrive at the Service Canada office. You must respect physical distancing measures even when wearing a mask.
- Service will be contact-free.
- Non-medical face masks are required.
- Your photo will be taken.
- You’ll be asked to briefly remove your mask while we take your photo. Once the photo is taken, you must put your mask back on.
- You’ll also give your fingerprints.
- We’ll use your fingerprints and photo to process your current application.
- Hand sanitizer will be available and must be used
- when you arrive
- after you touch your mask to put it back on after your photo is taken
- Cleaning supplies will be available for you to clean the biometrics collection equipment before you use it.
Do not visit a Service Canada office if you have
- symptoms of COVID-19, including a fever, a cough or difficulty breathing
- had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days
- been instructed by local public health authorities to self-isolate due to travel or contact history
If you miss your appointment
If you miss your appointment for any reason, including reasons related to COVID-19, you can make a new appointment using the eService Canada Appointment Booking Tool.
Biometrics collection outside Canada (if you already applied)
As a temporary measure, we’ve made some changes to biometrics requirements. If you’re not exempt from giving biometrics, we need the biometrics to process your application.
Applicants who have not given biometrics in the last 10 years
Many applicants can now give biometrics, as most visa application centres (VACs) and U.S. application support centers (ASCs) are open.
- Book an appointment as soon as possible.
- Appointment slots fill up quickly.
- Some VACs and ASCs are operating with reduced hours.
If you can’t give your biometrics in time
Your next steps depend on whether your local VAC or ASC is open.
If your VAC or ASC is open
If your VAC or ASC is open but you can’t give biometrics due to COVID-19, use the web form to tell us why you need more time.
Make sure you provide details about your situation. For example, if you weren’t able to get an appointment by the deadline on your biometrics instruction letter
- Tell us the date of your appointment.
- Upload a screenshot of the appointment confirmation.
If you’re affected by high demand for appointments in Europe
We’ve put special measures in place to help you:
Biometrics collection outside Canada (if you haven’t applied yet)
If you’re not sure if you need to give biometrics
As a temporary measure, we’ve made some changes to biometrics requirements.
Biometric exemption for permanent residence applicants who’ve given biometrics within the last 10 years
As a temporary measure, you’re exempt from giving biometrics if you meet 2 conditions:
- you’re now applying, or you’ve already applied, for permanent residence from in or outside Canada and
- you’ve already given your biometrics to us within the last 10 years
Biometric fee
You don’t have to pay the biometric fee when you submit your application, even if the system tells you to pay it.
If you paid the fee, we’ll automatically refund it once we finalize your application.
If you haven’t given biometrics in the last 10 years
Many applicants can give biometrics, since most visa application centres (VACs) and U.S. Application Support Centers (ASCs) are open.
You must pay the biometric fee when you submit your application, or you may experience delays. After you pay the biometric fee, you’ll get a biometrics instruction letter confirming that you need to give your biometrics and telling you where you can go.
If your local VAC or ASC is open
- Book an appointment as soon as possible.
- Appointment slots fill up quickly.
- Many VACs and ASCs are operating with reduced hours.
- You must bring your biometrics instruction letter with you when you go to the VAC or ASC. Find out how to give your biometrics.
If your VAC or ASC is open but you can’t give biometrics due to COVID-19, use the web form to tell us why you need more time.
Make sure you provide details about your situation. For example, if you weren’t able to get an appointment by the deadline on your biometrics instruction letter
- tell us the date of your appointment
- upload a screenshot of the appointment confirmation
If you’re affected by high demand for appointments in Europe
We’ve put special measures in place to help you:
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