Immigration Canada to expand biometrics program
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is expanding its biometrics program for more effective screening, and to facilitate application processing and travel.
Canada currently collects biometrics from in-Canada refugee claimants and overseas refugee resettlement applicants, individuals ordered removed from the country and individuals from 30 foreign nationalities applying for a temporary resident visa, work permit or study permit. On July 31, 2018, nationals from countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East will be required to provide biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) if they are applying for a visitor visa, a work or study permit, or permanent residence.
“To facilitate the increased demand for biometrics, Canada is increasing its Visa Application Centre presence in the next two years,” says Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Ahmed Hussen. “By November 2019, there will be at least 157 centres in 105 countries.”
The Government of Canada will open additional Visa Application Centres in Kigali, Rwanda, Stockholm, Sweden, and Tel Aviv, Israel by mid-September 2018. In early November, centres will open in Athens, Berlin, Lyon, France, and Vienna, followed by Antananarivo, Madagascar and Cape Town, South Africa in early December 2018. Additional VACs will also open in 2019.
In the interim, Canadian embassies in Stockholm, Athens, Berlin and Vienna, plus a leased commercial space in Lyon, will offer biometrics collection service points for applicants who have applied online or by mail and have received a biometrics instruction letter. These temporary service points will only collect biometrics; applications will not be accepted at these locations.
Applicants must first apply on Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada’s website or by mail.