Biometrics collection outside Canada (if you applied before April 12, 2021)

Many applicants can now give their biometrics, as most visa application centres (VACs) and U.S. Application Support Centers (ASCs) have reopened.

If you’re not exempt from giving biometrics, we need the biometrics to process your application. As a result, we’ll no longer automatically extend the deadline to give biometrics.

What happens next with your application

Once your local VAC or ASC is open, we’ll send you a final letter to ask you to give your biometrics.

  • You must respond within 30 days from the date on the letter.
  • To ensure that you can meet our deadline, try to book an appointment to give your biometrics before we contact you.
    • Appointment slots fill up quickly.
    • Many VACs and ASCs are operating with reduced hours.

Don’t travel to another city or country to give your biometrics.

If you can’t give your biometrics in time

If you can’t give your biometrics by our deadline, we may give you another 30-day extension if you

  • explain how you can’t meet the deadline due to COVID-19 (for example, if you weren’t able to get an appointment within 30 days, tell us the date of your appointment) and
  • follow the instructions in the letter to submit your explanation

Biometrics collection outside Canada (if you applied on or after April 12, 2021)

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.
    • Many 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 your local VAC or ASC is closed

Don’t travel to another city or country to give your biometrics.

If you can’t give your biometrics by the deadline on your biometrics instruction letter

  • you don’t need to contact us—we know the location is closed
  • we won’t refuse your application if you can’t give biometrics because the VAC or ASC is closed
  • visit your local VAC website for more information
    • if you hadn’t booked your appointment yet
      • book your biometrics appointments as soon as it reopens
    • if your biometrics appointment was cancelled
      • the VAC will contact you to book another appointment when it reopens

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.

If you’re a permanent residence applicant who has given biometrics within the last 10 years

As a temporary measure, you’re exempt from giving biometrics if you

  • are now applying, or have already applied for permanent residence from in or outside Canada and
  • have 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

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 your local VAC or ASC is closed

Don’t travel to another city or country to give your biometrics.

If you can’t give your biometrics by the deadline on your biometrics instruction letter

  • you don’t need to contact us—we know the location is closed
  • we won’t refuse your application if you can’t give biometrics because the VAC or ASC is closed
  • visit your local VAC website for more information
    • if you haven’t booked your appointment yet
      • book your biometrics appointments as soon as it reopens
    • if your biometrics appointment was cancelled
      • the VAC will contact you to book another appointment when it reopens

Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/coronavirus-covid19/biometrics.html

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