Biometrics now required for all Canadian permanent residence applicants

All Canadian permanent residence (PR) applicants will now be required to submit biometrics. This policy change is effective as of June 14, 2023.

In a return to pre-pandemic policy, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) now requires the submission of biometrics as part of a PR application even if the applicant has previously submitted their biometrics for a temporary residence (study, work) permit in the past.

Note: Prior to the policy change on June 14, IRCC did not mandate the resubmission of biometrics for PR applicants who already submitted them as part of a temporary resident application in the 10 years prior.

What are Biometrics?

In short, biometrics - in the context of Canadian immigration - refers to fingerprints and a photograph, two things that can uniquely be used to identify an individual/confirm their identity.

The following groups of people are not required to provide biometrics when travelling to Canada:

Canadian citizens, citizenship applicants (including passport applicants), or existing permanent residents
People under the age of 14 or over the age of 79 (no upper age exemption for asylum claimants)
Heads of state/government
Cabinet ministers and accredited diplomats of other countries or the United Nations who are coming to Canada on official business
U.S. visa holders transiting through Canada
Refugee claimants/protected persons that have already submitted biometrics for a study/work permit application
Temporary resident applicants that have already submitted biometrics as part of an "in progress" PR application

Please click here to learn more about biometrics in Canadian immigration.

Who is not impacted by this change?

It is important to note that these changes, effective June 14, do not impact the following two groups of Canadian immigration applicants:

Those who apply for a work, visitor or study visa (seeking temporary resident status in Canada)
Temporary residents applying for an extension on their visa

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