New temporary public policy allowing permanent residence applicants to rely on biometrics previously submitted within the last 10 years

Date Announced:

September 22, 2020

Active Period:

September 22, 2020 until further notice.

Overview:

Due to public health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of biometrics collection sites in and outside Canada, including some visa application centres (VACs), United States application support centers (ASCs) and designated Service Canada Centres, remain closed or have reopened with only limited services, which do not always include biometrics collection. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) recognizes the impact this ongoing service disruption is having on applicants in and outside Canada. Therefore, until further notice, foreign nationals who have previously given their biometrics in support of an immigration application within the last 10 years are exempt from the requirement to give their biometrics in support of their pending or new application for permanent residence. 

Departments and Agencies:

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Type of Administrative Action:

  • Programmatic Changes

    • Immigration Category:

    Prospective immigrants

    Keywords:

    biometrics | permanent residence applicants | visa application centres (VACs)

    Source Document(s):

    https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/notices/biometrics-exemption-permanent-residents.html

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