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Biometrics for Americans?

waiting10yrs

Star Member
Feb 26, 2018
65
15
Hey there everyone,

Looking for some information on the new Biometrics that is required as of today. Looked online and I seem to be getting conflicting information.

I already applied in March for PR. So wondering do I fit into the exception? Or is it for future applicants?


On the GcKey it shows an area for biometrics but it is blank.

I am on implied status waiting for my visitor extension as well so I cant just go back to the USA to get the biometrics done.

I seen this on CIC:

"Answer: You don’t need to give your biometrics.
As a U.S. citizen or national, you don’t need to give your biometrics.
Exception: If you apply for permanent residence in Canada, you need to give your biometrics."

As well I am in Canada as a visitor but applied Outland but it says:
"If I am in Canada, do I have to give my biometrics immediately?

We plan to expand our fingerprint and photo requirements
Starting July 31, 2018, you may need to give your fingerprints and photos (biometrics) when you apply for a visitor visa, study or work permit, or permanent residence if you are from Europe, the Middle East or Africa.

Find out if these changes may apply to you.

If you’re in Canada and you apply for a visitor visa, study permit, work permit or permanent resident visa or status, you don’t have to give your biometrics untilwe open collection centres in Canada in 2019.

When the new collection centres are open in Canada, you’ll have to give biometrics for your next application, including a renewal or an extension."
 
Last edited:

Ukrainian girl

Hero Member
Oct 7, 2017
416
133
App. Filed.......
22-12-2017
AOR Received.
12-02-2018
Med's Request
07-03-2018
Hey there everyone,

Looking for some information on the new Biometrics that is required as of today. Looked online and I seem to be getting conflicting information.

I already applied in March for PR. So wondering do I fit into the exception? Or is it for future applicants?


On the GcKey it shows an area for biometrics but it is blank.

I am on implied status waiting for my visitor extension as well so I cant just go back to the USA to get the biometrics done.

I seen this on CIC:

"Answer: You don’t need to give your biometrics.
As a U.S. citizen or national, you don’t need to give your biometrics.
Exception: If you apply for permanent residence in Canada, you need to give your biometrics."

As well I am in Canada as a visitor but applied Outland but it says:
"If I am in Canada, do I have to give my biometrics immediately?

We plan to expand our fingerprint and photo requirements
Starting July 31, 2018, you may need to give your fingerprints and photos (biometrics) when you apply for a visitor visa, study or work permit, or permanent residence if you are from Europe, the Middle East or Africa.

Find out if these changes may apply to you.

If you’re in Canada and you apply for a visitor visa, study permit, work permit or permanent resident visa or status, you don’t have to give your biometrics untilwe open collection centres in Canada in 2019.

When the new collection centres are open in Canada, you’ll have to give biometrics for your next application, including a renewal or an extension."
Only those that submitted their application on or after July 31st 2018 will need to give biometrics.
 

jnt211

Star Member
Dec 17, 2015
125
11
New York
App. Filed.......
08-08-2018
Sorry to tag on here. But we were putting our application in the mail today and suddenly saw this. I am sponsoring my husband and son for Permanent Residence (I am Canadian) and we all live in the USA. Do we need to submit biometrics? It is very unclear online if we need to give them. And if so, how we submit and where we go. OR if this is something that is requested AFTER we submit.
 

PrincessCRV

Star Member
Jun 26, 2018
106
38
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
Mississauga
App. Filed.......
07-05-2018
AOR Received.
15-06-2018
Med's Request
20-06-2018
Med's Done....
10-07-2018
Passport Req..
21-08-2018
VISA ISSUED...
29-08-2018
Sorry to tag on here. But we were putting our application in the mail today and suddenly saw this. I am sponsoring my husband and son for Permanent Residence (I am Canadian) and we all live in the USA. Do we need to submit biometrics? It is very unclear online if we need to give them. And if so, how we submit and where we go. OR if this is something that is requested AFTER we submit.
You do not need to submit biometrics upfront. If required, they will request it from you. It is unclear at this point if Americans will be required to provide them.
 

jnt211

Star Member
Dec 17, 2015
125
11
New York
App. Filed.......
08-08-2018
You do not need to submit biometrics upfront. If required, they will request it from you. It is unclear at this point if Americans will be required to provide them.
Glad to hear. I submitted without yesterday as that was my impression as well. Thank you!
 

BlueRodeoFan

Star Member
Aug 26, 2017
101
34
Only those that submitted their application on or after July 31st 2018 will need to give biometrics.
According to the IRCC website: As of 31 July people from Europe, Middle East and Africa are required to submit biometrics. This will expand on
31 December 2018 - applicants from Asia, Asia Pacific and the Americas

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/campaigns/biometrics/facts.html?_ga=2.11574515.630612442.1533654744-237436582.1512133582
 

Ukrainian girl

Hero Member
Oct 7, 2017
416
133
App. Filed.......
22-12-2017
AOR Received.
12-02-2018
Med's Request
07-03-2018
According to the IRCC website: As of 31 July people from Europe, Middle East and Africa are required to submit biometrics. This will expand on
31 December 2018 - applicants from Asia, Asia Pacific and the Americas

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/campaigns/biometrics/facts.html?_ga=2.11574515.630612442.1533654744-237436582.1512133582
Yes, but applicants from most countries of Europe (for example) are not required to submit biometrics if IRCC received their application before July 31st 2018.
 

BlueRodeoFan

Star Member
Aug 26, 2017
101
34
Yes, but applicants from most countries of Europe (for example) are not required to submit biometrics if IRCC received their application before July 31st 2018.
I understand, I was just adding to your response which could have been misinterpreted as meaning everyone has to provide biometrics on applications received after 31 July when it is only people from Europe, Middle East and Africa. People from Asia, Asia Pacific and Americas will need to provide biometrics on applications received on or after 31 December 2018.
 

Ukrainian girl

Hero Member
Oct 7, 2017
416
133
App. Filed.......
22-12-2017
AOR Received.
12-02-2018
Med's Request
07-03-2018
Thanks, you are correct. It is not exactly clear on the IRCC website when will American citizens need to provide their biometrics and if it is applicable to those who already submitted their application before this biometric rule came in power. So I assumed that IRCC will not require biometrics from American citizens that submitted their applications before July 31st just like they don’t require them from the vast majority (if not all of them) of European applicants that submitted their apps before July 31st. But I may be wrong though and time will show.