Biometrics now required to travel, study, work or immigrate to Canada

Photo credit: Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Every year Canada welcomes millions of visitors, and hundreds of thousands seeking to study, work or become a permanent Canadian resident. Starting in the summer of 2018, visitors, students, workers and immigrants will need to provide fingerprints and facial scan biometrics. There are a few exemptions, including US nationals.

The scope of the program has grown, as the number of countries participating has increased from 30 to about 150 countries, including applicants from Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The biometrics data is collected at Visa Application Centers (VACs) managed by private companies and international organizations.

Beginning July 31, 2018, applicants will pay an $85 fee CAD ( about $69 USD) for the biometric data collection service to help defray the cost of the program.

Mathieu Genest, a spokesman for Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen, emphasizes that applicant privacy concerns are of key importance, “The government of Canada takes its privacy obligations very seriously, and safeguards have been built into policies, procedures and technical systems.”

Biometrics data from the program will be shared with Canada’s international intelligence partners: the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

The data will be stored for 10 years, or destroyed if permanent residency is granted.

For an informational video visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/video/biometrics-summer-2018.html

To find a Visa Application Center visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/contact-ircc/offices/find-visa-application-centre.html

For detailed information on Canada’s expanded biometrics program, visit this Canadian Government website page: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/campaigns/biometrics.html?utm_source=slash-biometrics_biometrie&utm_medium=short-url-en&utm_campaign=biometrics


Ottawa expands program to collect fingerprints, photos from foreign nationals coming to Canada

Kathleen Harris for CBC News, June 5, 2018


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