+1(514) 937-9445 or Toll-free (Canada & US) +1 (888) 947-9445

Two Biometric letters, 1 for BOWP and 1 for EE ...

s3nr1

Star Member
May 11, 2013
120
5
Submitted EE application on Feb 27th.
Submitted BOWP on March 3rd.

Today, March 4, in the morning got letter to get my biometric done for the BOWP, with application number Wxxx
Today, just now, tonight, got another letter to get my biometric done for EE, with application number Exxxx

Help! What do I do.
 
Last edited:

k.h.p.

VIP Member
Mar 1, 2019
8,801
2,250
Canada
Your two applications are handled by different offices, and each sent a biometrics request. You can try to do one and see if it works for both.

However, applicants for a temporary status (BOWP) must also do biometrics again for PR.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LordStanley

s3nr1

Star Member
May 11, 2013
120
5
I already booked appointment for the bowp one, I don't have a problem doing both if allowed. Should I do the PR first ?
 

Mitya-kun

Star Member
Feb 6, 2019
156
104
I already booked appointment for the bowp one, I don't have a problem doing both if allowed. Should I do the PR first ?
Just do what IRCC wants from you: if they had sent you a biometrics letter for BOWP, then go and give your biometrics. If (or when) you recieve another BIL for PR later, you'll have to go and give your fingerprints for the second time. There's absolutely no harm in it.
 

s3nr1

Star Member
May 11, 2013
120
5
The appointment portal specifically says 1 appointment per individual. The problem is, that the locations are almost full (i lucked out for the BOWP one because a single time slot cleared on the 10th) and if I wait any longer I won't have a date to book before the 30 days limit.
 

ingoingoingo

Star Member
Jan 25, 2020
182
130
Alberta
Category........
AINP
Visa Office......
Sydney
NOC Code......
3111 (CRS 1058)
Job Offer........
Yes
App. Filed.......
31-01-2020
Nomination.....
11-03-2020
AOR Received.
07-02-2020
IELTS Request
30-11-2019
Med's Done....
07-02-2020
VISA ISSUED...
29-09-2020
LANDED..........
29-09-2020
Submitted EE application on Feb 27th.
Submitted BOWP on March 3rd.

Today, March 4, in the morning got letter to get my biometric done for the BOWP, with application number Wxxx
Today, just now, tonight, got another letter to get my biometric done for EE, with application number Exxxx

Help! What do I do.
Did you get your AOR for EE application already (under Section R10 completeness check)? This is required for BOWP to be granted ... see https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/foreign-workers/provincial-nominees-permanent-resident-applicants/bridging-open-work-permits.html

I’m not quite sure how long it takes to get this after submitting e-APR under EE. Does anyone know? But 5 days seems very fast to submit BOWP.

It might be that the processing time for BOWP (currently 91 days) means that this will be updates in your GCMS before they get round to processing your BOWP.

For work permit, you need biometrics within the last 10 years. Did you not have to give this already for your current work permit? Biometrics must be repeated for permanent resident applicants but potentially any previous one is valid.

Use the tool here: https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/biometrics.asp
 

Wolfpmd3

Champion Member
Apr 26, 2015
1,867
455
Canada
NOC Code......
1254
Submitted EE application on Feb 27th.
Submitted BOWP on March 3rd.

Today, March 4, in the morning got letter to get my biometric done for the BOWP, with application number Wxxx
Today, just now, tonight, got another letter to get my biometric done for EE, with application number Exxxx

Help! What do I do.
Just use the PR letter to have them taken.

Biometrics for PR applications CAN be used for TRV (work permit, study permits, etc).
On the other hand, biometrics for TRV CANNOT be used for PR applications.

Just use the letter for the PR application and have your biometrics enrolled. Once you get the biometrics number, raise a WebForm for your BOWP and send it to IRCC.
 
  • Like
Reactions: LordStanley

Wolfpmd3

Champion Member
Apr 26, 2015
1,867
455
Canada
NOC Code......
1254
Did you get your AOR for EE application already (under Section R10 completeness check)? This is required for BOWP to be granted ... see https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/foreign-workers/provincial-nominees-permanent-resident-applicants/bridging-open-work-permits.html

I’m not quite sure how long it takes to get this after submitting e-APR under EE. Does anyone know? But 5 days seems very fast to submit BOWP.

It might be that the processing time for BOWP (currently 91 days) means that this will be updates in your GCMS before they get round to processing your BOWP.

For work permit, you need biometrics within the last 10 years. Did you not have to give this already for your current work permit? Biometrics must be repeated for permanent resident applicants but potentially any previous one is valid.

Use the tool here: https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/biometrics.asp
That is not correct, unless the biometrics were talen for a previous PR application. Biometrics for a Temporary reisdence application cannot be re-used for a PR application.

However, the opposite is possible. Biometrics taken for PR applications can be used for TR applications.
 

ingoingoingo

Star Member
Jan 25, 2020
182
130
Alberta
Category........
AINP
Visa Office......
Sydney
NOC Code......
3111 (CRS 1058)
Job Offer........
Yes
App. Filed.......
31-01-2020
Nomination.....
11-03-2020
AOR Received.
07-02-2020
IELTS Request
30-11-2019
Med's Done....
07-02-2020
VISA ISSUED...
29-09-2020
LANDED..........
29-09-2020
Did you get your AOR for EE application already (under Section R10 completeness check)? This is required for BOWP to be granted ... see https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/operational-bulletins-manuals/temporary-residents/foreign-workers/provincial-nominees-permanent-resident-applicants/bridging-open-work-permits.html

I’m not quite sure how long it takes to get this after submitting e-APR under EE. Does anyone know? But 5 days seems very fast to submit BOWP.

It might be that the processing time for BOWP (currently 91 days) means that this will be updates in your GCMS before they get round to processing your BOWP.

For work permit, you need biometrics within the last 10 years. Did you not have to give this already for your current work permit? Biometrics must be repeated for permanent resident applicants but potentially any previous one is valid.

Use the tool here: https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/biometrics.asp
I see you already know about this from another forum post. The first AOR message is different from the R10 completeness check. Some sites suggest you get a separate message in your account at this stage, but I don’t know if that’s true. Supposedly the R10 check happens at the IP1 stage (after NA1 and MEP, completes when in NA2). They can reject the BOWP application according to IRCC’s own instructions (first link above), which would result in part-refund of fees.

If I were you, I would:
- make sure you don’t already have valid biometrics that could be used for BOWP,
- message them your case references to ask if should just get PR biometrics done that would then count for both,
- if cannot find out answers to the above or takes too long, then just do them both (you’ll have already paid for both anyway).
 

ingoingoingo

Star Member
Jan 25, 2020
182
130
Alberta
Category........
AINP
Visa Office......
Sydney
NOC Code......
3111 (CRS 1058)
Job Offer........
Yes
App. Filed.......
31-01-2020
Nomination.....
11-03-2020
AOR Received.
07-02-2020
IELTS Request
30-11-2019
Med's Done....
07-02-2020
VISA ISSUED...
29-09-2020
LANDED..........
29-09-2020
That is not correct, unless the biometrics were talen for a previous PR application. Biometrics for a Temporary reisdence application cannot be re-used for a PR application.

However, the opposite is possible. Biometrics taken for PR applications can be used for TR applications.
Exactly. This is my understanding too and what I meant from the posts. But if the OP already has a valid closed work permit in Canada that is due to expire in the next 4 months, which is a requirement to get a BOWP, then it’s a bit surprisingly that he/she doesn’t ALREADY have valid biometrics that can be used for the BOWP.

Would always have to do biometrics again for PR. Whether does them for BOWP or not.
 

Wolfpmd3

Champion Member
Apr 26, 2015
1,867
455
Canada
NOC Code......
1254
Exactly. This is my understanding too and what I meant from the posts. But if the OP already has a valid closed work permit in Canada that is due to expire in the next 4 months, which is a requirement to get a BOWP, then it’s a bit surprisingly that he/she doesn’t ALREADY have valid biometrics that can be used for the BOWP.

Would always have to do biometrics again for PR. Whether does them for BOWP or not.
It really isn't because he could have applied for his work permit after a study permit while in Canada. Also, the biometrics requirements changed last year, some countries which didn't require biometrics, starting last year do now.

That might explain it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ingoingoingo

s3nr1

Star Member
May 11, 2013
120
5
Hi,

Yes, studied for around 4y, then applied for PGWP, this would be my 7th year in Canada. It's possible that I have submitted biometrics before, at least to local police for my security clearance, but there's an online form that takes your UCI and last name and mine weren't there so I just said no to the biometric question and paid the fee.

So there's no problem if I take it again? I just did it for the PR application, next one is on the 10th.

As for the AoR, I do have the AoR, not the R10 completeness AoR that is supposed to be different, the instant I submitted EE CEC application, and the AoR does say I may be eligible for BOWP, the link from it doesn't list anything that makes me not eligible.

Pasted from the letter :
Bridging open work permit
If you are currently working in Canada on a work permit that is about to expire, and you meet all other
requirements, you may use this letter to apply for a bridging open work permit. For more information, visit our
.https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/extend-permit/bridging-open-work-permit.html
You are cautioned that if we reject your application for permanent residence as incomplete:
• we will refuse your completed application for a bridging open work permit; and
• your processing fees for a bridging open work permit will not be refunded.
 
Last edited:

LordStanley

Member
Jan 21, 2020
14
7
Category........
CEC
A similar situation happened to me, the difference was that I received a BIL for my BOWP one week before the letter for my PR application (and by that point, I had already given my biometrics using the first letter). Long story short and one IRCC call later, I had to go and give my biometrics again.

However (and this may be useful for you), the attendant told me that if I had done the biometrics for my PR before the BOWP, those could've been used for the PR application.
 

swah

Full Member
May 16, 2020
30
0
Hi, hoping someone might be able to clarify!

My working holiday visa ends in late July 2020. So soon! I am currently filling in my PR application, and gathering my documents. Once I submit the requested documents, am I then able to apply for a BOWP? Is biometrics included in the R10 check?

Biometrics is closed in Canada. Can I still apply for a BOWP and fill in everything and submit it without biometrics? Then do I have implied status? Is biometrics letter sent after you submit your BoWP?

I’m not sure if I should just leave and go back to my home country and maybe reapply for PR? Or apply for visitor status if I can’t get a BoWP?

Please help!