Canada's Biometrics Visa Requirements
Biometrics Visa: All international students who want to study in Canada are required to provide their biometrics along with their application as per the biometric requirements expanded by Canada in 2019. Biometrics for Canada are compulsory.
The visa process is complicated process. You need to process it step by step. Any mistake at any stage can lead to the rejection of your visa. Biometrics is also an important step in the visa process.
Here we will discuss the process of Biometrics for Canada for better understanding.
What are Biometrics:
Biometrics refers to the measurements and calculations of the body, which are related to the characteristics of humans.
When applying for a Canadian student visa, you are asked to provide biometrics which include your electronic fingerprints and digital photo.
Biometrics are used to confirm your identity by Canadian visa officers. As everyone has unique biometrics, it will be very difficult for someone to forge their identity, and it will also make it easy to solve errors.
After you are finished with the process of submitting your biometrics, then your biometrics will be secured in the database of the Government of Canada.
Your fingerprints will be examined by The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) against the fingerprint records of criminals, refugee claimants, deportees, and temporary resident applicants.
If any match is found with the existing record, the visa officer in charge of your case will analyze and make the final decision on your case.
Who Needs to Give Biometrics?
An often-asked question is Who needs the Biometrics?
Well, the Canadian government has a short list of questions which will determine whether or not you are required to submit your biometrics.
You are required to provide biometrics in many visa categories. These includes:
- A visitor visa application
- Work or study permit application (No United States nationals)
- Permanent residence applications
- Refugee or asylum status application
- An extension of your stay in Canada, known as a visitor record application
- A work or study permit extension application
However, not all applicants under these categories need biometrics. There are some exemptions from the biometric requirements. These exemptions include the applicants for citizenship in Canada, existing permanent residents, children under the age of 14, and applicants over the age of 79.
Biometric validity for the biometric visa application:
Biometrics are usually valid for ten years from the time of the first submission. These biometrics are valid for a good ten years for applications for visitor visas, work permits, and study permits.
Even if your previous attempt to get the visa in the above-mentioned categories failed, these are still valid for the next time when you apply under these categories within the ten years of the time period of your first biometric.
The submission process of biometric requirements:
To submit your biometrics, you are first required to pay the biometrics fees. The biometric fee is paid when you submit your visa application.
The biometric fee for an individual applicant is $85 CAD and $170 CAD for families if they are applying together.
Once the fees are paid, the applicants will receive an instruction letter which will explain the details and also allows them to give their biometrics in person.
You need to book an appointment for biometrics after you receive the instruction letter. The appointment for biometrics can be made at the collection service point.
When you are going for the biometric appointment, you are required to bring your valid passport and instruction letter along with you.
The visa application can not be processed until your biometric requirements are not complete. In some cases, due to the high demand for biometric appointments in Europe, some of the applications may get extended.
Tips for taking Photo and Fingerprint during biometrics:
While going for the biometrics, you are required to follow some tips:
- The applicants can request a privacy curtain or for the same gender person to take a photograph. Also, you need to be careful while taking the photograph that your whole face must be visible.
- Applicants can wear their religious headgear and clothes while taking a photograph as long as their whole face is visible in the photograph.
- Wear bright colour clothing as it will be best. Light or white colours are not as good as dark-colored clothes while taking photos. This is also applicable for the headgear if you wear any.
- Do not wear henna on your hands while going for the biometrics.
- Make sure your hands are free from any injuries, cuts or scars at the time of fingerprint scanning. If you have any injury, scar or cuts, make sure to heal them beforehand. In case they are not healed, make another appointment when they are healed.
Processing Times for biometrics:
The processing time for the biometric depends upon how fast you pay the biometric fees. The faster you pay the fees, the faster you get the instruction letter.
Strategies for Reducing Application Timelines
To reduce the application delays, you must:
- The applicant must apply online or in person for the biometrics at a Visa Application Centre.
- Applicants must pay the biometric fees along with their visa application.
- Applicants should submit their biometrics at the time they submit their application at the Visa Application Centre, or they should submit the biometrics immediately when they receive the instruction letter.
- In case the applicants have permanent injuries on their face or hands, they should bring the medical certificate to prove their condition at the Visa Application Centre appointment.
Summary:
- All student visa applicants are required to provide the Biometrics for their applications.
- You can submit the biometric fees with your visa application.
- Bring your passport and biometric instruction letter with you at the time of the biometric appointment.
- Your whole face should be visible, and wear dark coloured clothes along with headgear if you wear any.
- Make sure you don't have any injuries or cuts on you at the time of biometrics.
- In case of permanent injury, bring a medical certificate to prove the same.
Check out our Web Story at https://celpip.biz/web-stories/canadas-biometrics-visa-requirements/
You may also check Economic Immigration to Canada.
