IEC - Provide Biometrics from inside Canada

[P4tr1ck]

Hello all! I hope someone can provide me with clear instructions on what to do now.

My situation is that I'm right now on a IEC - Work & Holiday Visa in Canada. This Visa expires in a few day's.

Because I want to stay for a another year I applied in the meantime for the IEC - Young Professional Visa.
I also already got picked for the IEC - Young Professional Visa payed the Fees got a job offering from a company etc. did everything you must provide to get this Visa. Everything went kind of like you wish it should go.

Today I got the Biometrics Instruction Letter and know everything starts to get complicated.

There is a part on the Biometrics Instruction Letter which say's:

"Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and its Regulations, you are required to have your fingerprints scanned and your photograph taken (your biometrics) at a biometric collection service point to help Visa Officers determine if you may enter or stay in Canada. Most applicants will need to give their biometrics at a biometric collection service point abroad before they travel to Canada.

Only those who are eligible to apply for a work permit or a study permit at a designated port of entry can give their biometrics upon arrival in Canada.

Note: If you received this letter you must give your biometrics before coming to Canada and are not
eligible to have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a Canadian port of entry. If you are already
in Canada, you will have to leave the country to provide your biometrics."

So do I understand it correct? Does it really mean that I have to leave Canada now, travel to one of the VAC Centers, only to provide them with my Biometrics? I mean even in the USA there are only two VAC Centre right now, one in New York and the other one in Los Angeles.

Can I not just go to a Port of Entry and provide them with my Biometrics? Do a "Borderrun" maybe?
Or is there maybe a Service Centre in Kanada for this kind of situations where I can provide the Biometrics?

Any help would be great! Maybe someone had a similar situation? Looking forward to hear from you guys.

Thanks!

 

[scylla]

Hello all! I hope someone can provide me with clear instructions on what to do now.

My situation is that I'm right now on a IEC - Work & Holiday Visa in Canada. This Visa expires in a few day's.

Because I want to stay for a another year I applied in the meantime for the IEC - Young Professional Visa.
I also already got picked for the IEC - Young Professional Visa payed the Fees got a job offering from a company etc. did everything you must provide to get this Visa. Everything went kind of like you wish it should go.

Today I got the Biometrics Instruction Letter and know everything starts to get complicated.

There is a part on the Biometrics Instruction Letter which say's:

"Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and its Regulations, you are required to have your fingerprints scanned and your photograph taken (your biometrics) at a biometric collection service point to help Visa Officers determine if you may enter or stay in Canada. Most applicants will need to give their biometrics at a biometric collection service point abroad before they travel to Canada.

Only those who are eligible to apply for a work permit or a study permit at a designated port of entry can give their biometrics upon arrival in Canada.

Note: If you received this letter you must give your biometrics before coming to Canada and are not
eligible to have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a Canadian port of entry. If you are already
in Canada, you will have to leave the country to provide your biometrics."

So do I understand it correct? Does it really mean that I have to leave Canada now, travel to one of the VAC Centers, only to provide them with my Biometrics? I mean even in the USA there are only two VAC Centre right now, one in New York and the other one in Los Angeles.

Can I not just go to a Port of Entry and provide them with my Biometrics? Do a "Borderrun" maybe?
Or is there maybe a Service Centre in Kanada for this kind of situations where I can provide the Biometrics?

Any help would be great! Maybe someone had a similar situation? Looking forward to hear from you guys.

Thanks!

There are no service centres within Canada where you can provide biometrics.

If you hold a visa exempt passport, then I believe you can give biometrics at a land border. You would have to exit Canada and then re-enter. However I'm not 100% certain about biometrics at the border so hopefully someone else can comment.

 

[P4tr1ck]

A quick update about my situation:

I went to the land border today and tried to give my biometrics but the officers over there couldn't help me.

They know about the problem because it seems I'm not the first one who tried that but they said there is no
chance to give biometrics for the IEC - Visa at the port of entry. You have to do it outside of Canada.

They recommend I should enter the USA and go to a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
because only in the USA you can provide your biometrics at the USCIS or at the Visa Application Centre (VAC).

And there are definitely more USCIS then VAC in the USA. Because I live in Vancouver the closest USCIS you can go
to is in Seattle.

 

[P4tr1ck]

So for those who are interested in how the stuff with the biometrics ended.

I went to the USCIS in Seattle today. Walk-ins are welcome by the way no appointment needed and no
extra fee got charged for the biometrics. It took about 10 minutes incl. waiting time and everything was done.

They know exactly what to do when you provide them with the Biometrics Instructions Letter from Canada.

I also checked my IEC account a few hours later and what a surprise the biometrics where already connected with my profile.

A little note on the side: if you want to use the public parking at the USCIS. They charge 7 US$ for it and they only take cash.

 

[AnnaMontana]

Hi, Im in the same situation, I have called around and spoken to different agents to ask if I can just show up at the Airport/Port of Entry and do Biometrics there but as you said you need to be invited (special case) so that won't work.

I'm an IEC Working Holiday applicant WITHIN Montreal and the closest VAC is in New York but you have to make an appointment and there are NO seats left - so If I take the risk and wait my time might run out!!! Do you think I could just bring the Biometrics Letter and walk in at the USCIS in NY? Do you know if all USCIS take Biometrics for IEC applicants? Really don't know where else I can go if not there!

Thanks for sharing your situation.

 

[P4tr1ck]

Hi AnnaMontana - the Canadian Government has a special website which shows you where you can provide your biometrics.

Link: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/campaigns/biometrics/where-to-give-biometrics.html

Just type in the name of a City or a State and it will show you where to go. It also tells you if the office you selected has Walk-In or
if you need an appointment. Most of the USCIS have Walk-In between 11am to 2pm.

 

[AnnaMontana]

Thank you so much for this! Have a nice evening!

 

[asaxena26]

Hello all! I hope someone can provide me with clear instructions on what to do now.

My situation is that I'm right now on a IEC - Work & Holiday Visa in Canada. This Visa expires in a few day's.

Because I want to stay for a another year I applied in the meantime for the IEC - Young Professional Visa.
I also already got picked for the IEC - Young Professional Visa payed the Fees got a job offering from a company etc. did everything you must provide to get this Visa. Everything went kind of like you wish it should go.

Today I got the Biometrics Instruction Letter and know everything starts to get complicated.

There is a part on the Biometrics Instruction Letter which say's:

"Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and its Regulations, you are required to have your fingerprints scanned and your photograph taken (your biometrics) at a biometric collection service point to help Visa Officers determine if you may enter or stay in Canada. Most applicants will need to give their biometrics at a biometric collection service point abroad before they travel to Canada.

Only those who are eligible to apply for a work permit or a study permit at a designated port of entry can give their biometrics upon arrival in Canada.

Note: If you received this letter you must give your biometrics before coming to Canada and are not
eligible to have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a Canadian port of entry. If you are already
in Canada, you will have to leave the country to provide your biometrics."

So do I understand it correct? Does it really mean that I have to leave Canada now, travel to one of the VAC Centers, only to provide them with my Biometrics? I mean even in the USA there are only two VAC Centre right now, one in New York and the other one in Los Angeles.

Can I not just go to a Port of Entry and provide them with my Biometrics? Do a "Borderrun" maybe?
Or is there maybe a Service Centre in Kanada for this kind of situations where I can provide the Biometrics?

Any help would be great! Maybe someone had a similar situation? Looking forward to hear from you guys.

Thanks!

Hi,
I am in the same situation right now , I am in toronto.Could you please guide me where I can go for biometric.I dont want to leave Canada for just Biometric.

 

[asaxena26]

Hi,
I am in the same situation right now , I am in toronto.Could you please guide me where I can go for biometric.I dont want to leave Canada for just Biometric.

Also I saw below exemption.Is this correct?
Temporary exemption: Applying in Canada

If you are applying for a visa, study or work permit, or permanent residence in Canada – you are exempt until the in-Canada service is established.

 

[canuck_in_uk]

Hi,
I am in the same situation right now , I am in toronto.Could you please guide me where I can go for biometric.I dont want to leave Canada for just Biometric.

No choice. You can't do it in Canada.

Also I saw below exemption.Is this correct?
Temporary exemption: Applying in Canada

If you are applying for a visa, study or work permit, or permanent residence in Canada – you are exempt until the in-Canada service is established.

You aren't applying for a permit in Canada. IEC apps are considered to be outside of Canada, even if you happen to physically be in Canada when applying.

 

[asaxena26]

No choice. You can't do it in Canada.



You aren't applying for a permit in Canada. IEC apps are considered to be outside of Canada, even if you happen to physically be in Canada when applying.

I am applying for workpermit and currently on visitor visa(TRV) here. Is my case is exempted from biometrics?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

I am applying for workpermit and currently on visitor visa(TRV) here. Is my case is exempted from biometrics?

You said you were in the same situation as the person you quoted, who was on an IEC permit and applying for another IEC permit. No one can give you proper advise if you are providing incorrect information about your situation.

How do you qualify for a work permit?

 

[asaxena26]

You said you were in the same situation as the person you quoted, who was on an IEC permit and applying for another IEC permit. No one can give you proper advise if you are providing incorrect information about your situation.

How do you qualify for a work permit?

So sorry for the confusion.I am on visitor record here as visitor and applying for SOWP. Will I get exemption from biometrics?

 

[canuck_in_uk]

So sorry for the confusion.I am on visitor record here as visitor and applying for SOWP. Will I get exemption from biometrics?

Yes.

 

[TonyIE]

So for those who are interested in how the stuff with the biometrics ended.

I went to the USCIS in Seattle today. Walk-ins are welcome by the way no appointment needed and no
extra fee got charged for the biometrics. It took about 10 minutes incl. waiting time and everything was done.

They know exactly what to do when you provide them with the Biometrics Instructions Letter from Canada.

I also checked my IEC account a few hours later and what a surprise the biometrics where already connected with my profile.

A little note on the side: if you want to use the public parking at the USCIS. They charge 7 US$ for it and they only take cash.

Hi, I am in the same situation right now and would prefer to use the Seattle office to complete Biometrics. On my instruction letter is states:

If you are already legally in the United States, you may go to a United States Citizenship and immigration Services (USCIS), Application Support Center (ASC) or a Visa Application Center (VAC) located in the United States or its territories.

I’m wondering what it means when it says already legally in the United States? Did you travel to Seattle on implied status? Is it just as simple as getting an ESTA to travel to Seattle to be “legally in United States”?