Archive - Providing Biometrics for Temporary Residence in Canada

Published: 23 July 2015
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As of September 5th, 2013, citizens of specified countries must now provide biometric data when coming to Canada as visitors, students, or temporary workers.

The biometric requirements are being implemented in stages. The following chart outlines which nationalities require biometric data, as well as the date when this requirement will become effective:

CountryEffective Date (all dates 2013)
AfghanistanDecember 11
AlbaniaOctober 23
AlgeriaOctober 23
BangladeshDecember 11
Burma (Myanmar)December 11
ColombiaSeptember 4
Democratic Republic of CongoOctober 23
EgyptDecember 11
EritreaOctober 23
HaitiSeptember 4
IranDecember 11
IraqDecember 11
JamaicaSeptember 4
JordanDecember 11
LaosDecember 11
LebanonDecember 11
LibyaOctober 23
NigeriaOctober 23
PakistanDecember 11
Palestinian AuthorityDecember 11
Saudi ArabiaOctober 23
SomaliaOctober 23
South SudanOctober 23
Sri LankaDecember 11
SudanOctober 23
SyriaDecember 11
TunisiaOctober 23
VietnamDecember 11
YemenDecember 11

 

Individuals who require biometric data must visit the Visa Application Centre (VAC) or Visa Office responsible for their area of residence outside of Canada. They will be required to provide fingerprints and to have photographs taken.

There are some cases where a citizen of a designated country will not be required to provide biometrics. An individual is exempt if s/he:

  • Is under 14 years old or 80 years old and over;
  • Is a diplomat, consular officer, or representative of
    • A country;
    • The United Nations;
    • An intergovernmental organization that Canada is a member of,

And is travelling to Canada on official business

  • Is applying for a transit visa of less than 48 hours, directly to/from the United States and hold a valid United States entry visa; or
  • Is already in Canada and eligible to apply as a visitor, student, or foreign worker.