Where to Give Your Biometrics for a Canadian Application
Key points
- Most people applying for a visitor visa, a study or work permit, or permanent residence give biometrics (fingerprints and a photo).
- Applicants aged 14 to 79 give them. For a visa or permit, you give them only once every 10 years.
- Outside Canada, you give them at a visa application centre (VAC). In mainland China, these centres are run by VFS Global.
- Inside Canada, you give them at a designated Service Canada office, by appointment only.
Most people who apply for a Canadian visitor visa, a study or work permit, or permanent residence need to give biometrics: fingerprints and a photo. Where you go depends on where you apply from. This guide covers who needs to give biometrics and where to give them.
Who needs to give biometrics
Unless you are exempt, you give biometrics when you apply for:
- a visitor visa;
- a first study or work permit, or an extension (US nationals are exempt);
- an extension of your stay as a visitor (a visitor record), unless you are from a visa-exempt country;
- permanent residence.
Children under 14 and applicants over 79 do not need to give biometrics. For a visa or permit, you give them only once every 10 years. Most permanent residence applicants give them each time they apply. IRCC lists every case on its page who needs to give biometrics.
Applying from outside Canada
Outside Canada, you give your biometrics at a visa application centre (VAC), by appointment. IRCC’s list of biometrics collection sites links to the booking website for each centre. If there is no centre in the country or territory you apply from, you can go to a centre anywhere else.
In mainland China, Canada’s visa application centres are run by VFS Global. You book your appointment on VFS Global’s Canada visa website for China.
Booking an appointment is free. IRCC warns: do not pay anyone for an appointment.
Applying from inside Canada
Since December 3, 2019, biometrics can be given inside Canada. You can go to:
- A designated Service Canada office (SCO): book an appointment online first. Do not go to the office without one.
- A port of entry (POE): only if you are eligible to apply for a study or work permit at the port of entry, and you make your whole application there.
Before you book
Locations and rules change, so check IRCC’s list of collection sites before you book. If you are not sure whether you need to give biometrics, or where to go, a consultant can confirm this with you as you prepare your application.
This article is general information, not legal, tax or investment advice. Policies can change at any time; always check the latest official announcement.
