Biometrics Requirements for IRCC Immigration Applications

What Are Biometrics in the Context of Canadian Immigration?

Biometrics refers to the collection of unique physical characteristics used to verify a person's identity. For Canadian immigration purposes, biometrics means the collection of your fingerprints (all ten fingers) and a digital photograph. These are collected by IRCC or its authorized partners and stored securely in a government database. They are used to confirm your identity at Canadian ports of entry, to prevent identity fraud, and to help process your immigration applications more efficiently and securely.

Canada's biometrics program has been phased in over several years and now applies to a wide range of applicants. If you are applying for a visitor visa, a study permit, a work permit, or permanent residence from most countries, you will likely need to provide biometrics as part of your application. This requirement was expanded significantly in 2018 and has become a standard part of the immigration process for the majority of applicants worldwide.

See also: How to Apply for Canadian Permanent Residence

See also: Canada Student Visa Guide

Who Needs to Provide Biometrics?

The requirement to provide biometrics is broad, but there are exemptions. You are generally required to give biometrics if you are applying for:

• A visitor visa (temporary resident visa)
• A study permit
• A work permit
• Permanent residence (most categories)
• Refugee protection inside Canada
• A temporary resident permit
• Renewal of most of the above

You are exempt from giving biometrics if you are:

• A Canadian citizen (including dual citizens)
• A permanent resident of Canada
• Under the age of 14
• Aged 79 or older (for most applications)
• A national of the United States applying for most temporary permits (though there are exceptions)
• Applying for a document to travel to Canada as a permanent resident only in certain situations

If you are unsure whether you need to provide biometrics, use the IRCC eligibility tool at canada.ca/biometrics-facts.

The Biometrics Instruction Letter

After you submit your immigration application to IRCC and pay the biometrics fee, IRCC will send you a Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL). This letter is critical. You must bring it to your biometrics appointment. Without it, the service provider will not be able to process your biometrics collection. The BIL contains a unique barcode that links your biometrics to your specific IRCC application file. Keep this letter stored safely and bring both a printed copy and a digital copy on your phone to your appointment.

The BIL is typically sent to your IRCC secure account within a few business days of your application being accepted. Log in to your account at canada.ca/ircc-portal regularly to check for correspondence.

Biometrics Fees

The biometrics fee is separate from your main immigration application fee. As of 2026, the fees are:

• $85 CAD per person for most applicants
• $170 CAD for a family applying together (maximum family fee, regardless of family size)

The fee must be paid when you submit your immigration application, not at the biometrics appointment itself. If you fail to pay the biometrics fee with your application, IRCC will reject your application or request payment before proceeding. Pay using the IRCC online payment portal, which accepts major credit cards and some debit card options. Keep your payment confirmation for your records.

Where to Give Biometrics

Inside Canada: Service Canada Centres

If you are in Canada, you provide biometrics at designated Service Canada centres. Not all Service Canada locations offer biometrics collection; you must check the list of authorized locations. Use the IRCC location finder at canada.ca/biometrics-locations to find an authorized collection site near you. You should book an appointment in advance; walk-in appointments are not guaranteed.

Outside Canada: Visa Application Centres (VACs)

If you are outside Canada, you provide biometrics at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) operated by IRCC's partner organizations (VFS Global or TLScontact, depending on the country). Find your nearest VAC at the IRCC website or through the VFS Global portal. VAC fees and procedures vary by country, and some VACs charge an additional service fee on top of the IRCC biometrics fee.

What Happens at the Biometrics Appointment

Your biometrics appointment is typically short, lasting between 15 and 30 minutes. Here is what to expect:

1. You arrive and present your Biometrics Instruction Letter and valid government-issued photo ID (passport strongly recommended)
2. The staff member verifies your identity and confirms your IRCC file details
3. Your ten fingerprints are scanned digitally using a fingerprint scanner (no ink involved)
4. A digital photograph is taken
5. You receive a confirmation of collection receipt

The process is straightforward and painless. There is no interview, and you do not need to answer questions about your immigration application at this appointment. Bring your valid passport as your primary identification document. Some locations may accept other government photo ID, but a passport is the most universally accepted document.

How Long Are Biometrics Valid?

Biometrics are valid for 10 years from the date of collection, or until your passport expires, whichever comes first. This means if you give biometrics for one application and then apply for a different immigration category within the 10-year window, you generally do not need to give biometrics again. This is a significant convenience improvement from the earlier system and reduces costs and administrative burden for repeat applicants.

However, you must still pay the biometrics fee with each new application, even if your biometrics are still valid from a previous application. The fee covers the processing and use of your biometrics for that specific application, not just the physical collection.

Processing After Biometrics Are Collected

Once your biometrics are collected, IRCC uses them to check various law enforcement and security databases, including international databases shared with partner countries. This process is part of the background check on your application. IRCC will notify you through your secure account if there are any issues arising from the biometrics check, though in most cases this step proceeds without incident and your application continues to the next stage of processing.

Your biometrics are also stored and linked to your immigration record. When you arrive at a Canadian port of entry, border services officers can verify your identity against the biometrics on file, making the entry process faster and more secure.

Common Mistakes Newcomers Make with Biometrics

• Not paying the biometrics fee at the time of application submission, causing the application to be returned or put on hold
• Forgetting to bring the Biometrics Instruction Letter to the appointment
• Waiting too long to book the biometrics appointment after receiving the BIL, causing delays in application processing
• Going to a Service Canada centre that is not authorized for biometrics collection
• Assuming biometrics are not needed because they submitted biometrics for a previous application, without checking the 10-year validity
• Bringing only a provincial ID card rather than a passport, which some locations do not accept

Biometrics are just one part of the document requirements for your immigration application. You will also need to complete an immigration medical exam in most cases. Read our detailed guide on the Immigration Medical Exam for Canada to understand that process.

Practical Next Step

As soon as you receive your Biometrics Instruction Letter in your IRCC secure account, book your biometrics appointment immediately. Use the IRCC location finder at canada.ca/biometrics-locations to find an authorized Service Canada centre near you. Confirm your appointment, save your BIL digitally and in print, and note the address and any specific instructions for that location. Completing your biometrics quickly keeps your application moving and demonstrates responsiveness to IRCC. Delays of more than a few weeks in submitting biometrics can push back your overall processing timeline by months.