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Biometrics when coming from the US?

JenniferinFL

Star Member
Nov 18, 2019
63
38
So- I've used the tool repeatedly, and each time it says I won't need to pay the biometrics fee.

But, when I look at the tracker, it looks like immigrants from the US typically do give biometrics.

What's the right answer here? lol
 

Joeydocs

Hero Member
Sep 5, 2017
415
68
27
Pickering
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
CPC Mississauga
NOC Code......
7237
Job Offer........
Yes
So- I've used the tool repeatedly, and each time it says I won't need to pay the biometrics fee.

But, when I look at the tracker, it looks like immigrants from the US typically do give biometrics.

What's the right answer here? lol
Yes you have to pay biometrics
 

slough

Star Member
Dec 13, 2019
60
39
Yes, you'll need to. I initially didn't pay (thinking the same thing as you) and we then later received a request to pay the fee.
 

JenniferinFL

Star Member
Nov 18, 2019
63
38
Yes, you'll need to. I initially didn't pay (thinking the same thing as you) and we then later received a request to pay the fee.
LOL, thank you! They might want to revisit that tool, since when you pick US there's nothing you can pick that results in you needing biometrics. Thank you, I already sent everything in, so guess I will pay the fee when I get the request.
 

armoured

VIP Member
Feb 1, 2015
17,301
8,902
LOL, thank you! They might want to revisit that tool, since when you pick US there's nothing you can pick that results in you needing biometrics. Thank you, I already sent everything in, so guess I will pay the fee when I get the request.
Don't know which tool you are referring to but all I've seen show new biometrics needed for all PR applications. Nothing to do with from USA or not.
 

kpaxian

Star Member
Sep 13, 2020
54
19
Category........
FAM
App. Filed.......
05-11-2020
AOR Received.
10-07-2021
Med's Request
20-07-2021
Med's Done....
16-08-2021
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JenniferinFL

Star Member
Nov 18, 2019
63
38
That's applying for a permanent resident card, not permanent residence. If you pick "No" and scroll down it says "Exception: If you apply for permanent residence in Canada, you need to give your biometrics."
Oh, I don't disagree with you. I had already reached that conclusion from reviewing the spreadsheet. There's just not an option to pick for applying for permanent residence other than applying for the card. Most people applying for permanent residence would think to click yes on that answer. If anything, it should be worded to ask if you are applying for a replacement permanent resident card, not just permanent residence card.

I mean, I AM applying for my permanent resident card. It's just that I am applying for my initial one, not a subsequent one.

It's just poorly worded.

Additionally, when I went to pay my fees, it did not include the biometric fee based on the country I put down.

I mean, I don't really care, the whole process is going to move so slowly anyways that I'll just pay biometrics when I get the reminder in 6 months.. lol
 

kpaxian

Star Member
Sep 13, 2020
54
19
Category........
FAM
App. Filed.......
05-11-2020
AOR Received.
10-07-2021
Med's Request
20-07-2021
Med's Done....
16-08-2021
Yes, it is poorly worded. In fact, I had also concluded that US applicants did not need biometrics, especially since it says "Answer: You don't need to give your biometrics" in large print at the top either way; the rather important "Exception" is in the fine print :p
 
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YVR123

VIP Member
Jul 27, 2017
7,420
2,895
https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/biometrics.asp

No matter what I do here I get "
If you apply for permanent residence
You need to give biometrics."

Large letters. Hard to miss.
What country passport do you hold? I tried it a few times and that determined part of the answer.
If you are a US citizen, and applying for PR, then you do not need biometrics.

Oh, I don't disagree with you. I had already reached that conclusion from reviewing the spreadsheet. There's just not an option to pick for applying for permanent residence other than applying for the card. Most people applying for permanent residence would think to click yes on that answer. If anything, it should be worded to ask if you are applying for a replacement permanent resident card, not just permanent residence card.

I mean, I AM applying for my permanent resident card. It's just that I am applying for my initial one, not a subsequent one.

It's just poorly worded.

Additionally, when I went to pay my fees, it did not include the biometric fee based on the country I put down.

I mean, I don't really care, the whole process is going to move so slowly anyways that I'll just pay biometrics when I get the reminder in 6 months.. lol
It's not super clear BUT it's similar to applying for citizenship vs applying for passport. You cannot apply for a country's passport unless you are already a citizen. Same for applying for PR card, you can't apply for the card (or renewal) unless you are already a PR.
 
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armoured

VIP Member
Feb 1, 2015
17,301
8,902
What country passport do you hold? I tried it a few times and that determined part of the answer.
If you are a US citizen, and applying for PR, then you do not need biometrics.
No, if you try that, you get "Exception: If you apply for permanent residence in Canada, you need to give your biometrics."

(Yes, immediately above that it says you do not need to but the exception is pretty clear.)

As far as I can tell the only way to get the answer without this is by entering permanent residence card. But as established, this wasn't the case, but applying for permanent residence.
 

YVR123

VIP Member
Jul 27, 2017
7,420
2,895
No, if you try that, you get "Exception: If you apply for permanent residence in Canada, you need to give your biometrics."

(Yes, immediately above that it says you do not need to but the exception is pretty clear.)

As far as I can tell the only way to get the answer without this is by entering permanent residence card. But as established, this wasn't the case, but applying for permanent residence.
I miss that exception.
 
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Caly

Star Member
Feb 2, 2020
104
36
Ontario
Category........
FAM
App. Filed.......
01022020
I'm from the US. The CIC tool made me pay a biometrics fee. I guess you were looking at the wrong place. :)
 

armoured

VIP Member
Feb 1, 2015
17,301
8,902
I'm from the US. The CIC tool made me pay a biometrics fee. I guess you were looking at the wrong place. :)
At any rate, for those applying the spousal route, they do not seem to send the application back if biometric is not paid on submission (multiple reports here). When the time comes they'll request the biometric fees be paid (via email) and subsequently send the biometrics request letter.

Obviously that's a bit of extra time lost but probably not much. Bigger issue right now is places to give biometrics in many countries not open.
 
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