IRCC announced on December 3, 2019 that biometrics collection services are now available at 58 designated Service Canada locations across Canada.

Any foreign national must give their biometrics (fingerprints and photographs) when applying for permanent residence from within Canada. Foreign nationals applying for temporary residence such as work, study, and visitor permits (including applications for extending those permits), will also need to provide their biometrics.

Biometrics are valid for 10 years, so if you have already provided biometrics for a previous work/visitor/study visa application, you do not need to provide them again until that 10-year period ends. However, any time a person applies for permanent residence, they must provide biometrics until approved for PR.

If you have received a biometrics instruction letter, you may now visit one of these Service Canada locations to provide your biometrics within 30 days of receiving the letter. Service Canada requires that biometrics appointments be booked in advance through their online tool.

Contact Ashamalla LLP if you have questions regarding your pending application for temporary or permanent residence.