IRCC Biometrics: Who Must Provide, Where, and What It Costs

TL;DR — IRCC requires biometrics (10 fingerprints + a digital photograph) from most temporary-resident and permanent-resident applicants between 14 and 79 years old. Biometrics are collected once and valid for 10 years for temporary-residence applications. The fee is CAD $85 individual / CAD $170 family / CAD $255 group of three or more performers. Biometrics are collected at Visa Application Centres (VACs) abroad, designated Service Canada locations in Canada, and U.S. Application Support Centres.

What biometrics are

Biometrics, in IRCC's context, means 10 fingerprints taken digitally and a digital photograph. They are stored in IRCC's secure database and used to verify identity and screen against criminal and immigration records held by Canada and partner agencies (the Five Eyes — U.S., U.K., Australia, New Zealand — share biometric data under the Migration 5 agreement).

Biometrics are not the same as fingerprints required for a police certificate. Police-certificate fingerprints are taken by domestic police forces and are part of the application's supporting documents; biometrics are taken by IRCC's collection agents and form part of the IRCC application file.

Who must provide biometrics

Required

Visitor visa, study permit, or work permit applicants between 14 and 79 from any visa-required country (and most visa-exempt countries when applying for a study or work permit).
Permanent-residence applicants of any age (including economic, family-class, refugee, and humanitarian-protected-person streams).
Refugee claimants (collected at port of entry or at the IRCC office).

Exempt

Children under 14.
Adults 80 and older (for temporary-residence applications; permanent-residence applicants of any age must give biometrics).
Heads of state or government, cabinet ministers, accredited diplomats travelling on official business.
U.S. visa holders transiting Canada.
Travellers visiting Canada from a visa-exempt country under an eTA.
Existing biometrics within the 10-year validity for temporary-residence applications.

Where to give biometrics

Depending on where the applicant lives, biometrics are collected at:

Visa Application Centres (VACs): VACs operate in over 130 countries — typically the most convenient option. The applicant books an appointment online after receiving the Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL).
Application Support Centres (ASCs) in the United States: U.S.-based applicants can give biometrics at any USCIS ASC.
Designated Service Canada locations: a network of ~58 Service Canada offices across Canada accept IRCC biometrics for in-Canada applicants. Appointments are booked through the IRCC online tool.
Canadian airports: in some cases, biometrics can be given at certain Canadian airports' designated kiosks for refugee claimants and other limited categories.

There is no charge for the appointment itself. Only the biometrics fee paid at the time of the original application applies.

When to give biometrics

After applying: IRCC sends a Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL) by email after receiving a complete application and the biometrics fee.
Within 30 days: applicants must attend a collection point in person within 30 days of the BIL date.
In person, no exceptions: biometrics cannot be mailed in or done remotely.

Missing the 30-day deadline can delay or terminate the application. Applicants who cannot meet the deadline should contact IRCC immediately.

Fees

Individual fee: CAD $85.
Family fee (2+ family members applying together): CAD $170 maximum.
Group of 3+ performers (artists, performers, athletes): CAD $255.
Paid at the time of the IRCC application.

Validity

Temporary-residence applications: biometrics are valid for 10 years from the date they were taken.
Permanent-residence applications: biometrics must be re-given for each PR application, even if the applicant gave biometrics for a recent temporary-residence application.
The validity is tied to the biometrics, not to the passport.

What happens at the collection appointment

The appointment takes about 15 minutes. The applicant brings:

The Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL).
A valid passport.
Any country-specific identification requested by the VAC.

The collection agent:

Verifies identity using the BIL and passport.
Captures 10 fingerprints (rolling each finger on a glass scanner).
Takes a digital photograph.
Uploads the data to IRCC's secure database.

No medical examination, interview, or document review takes place — biometrics is purely fingerprints + photo.

Common pitfalls

Not paying the biometrics fee with the application: the BIL is not issued until the fee is paid. Applicants who forgot to pay must contact IRCC.
Worn fingerprints: people who do manual labour may have worn prints. Collection agents have techniques to capture even worn prints; refusal is rare.
Skin conditions and injuries: some skin conditions or recent injuries make capture difficult. Reschedule if possible.
Religious or cultural concerns: photographs are taken with religious head covering allowed, provided the face is unobstructed.

Biometrics in Canada (for in-Canada applications)

Since late 2023, in-Canada applicants needing to give biometrics for a temporary or permanent-residence application can do so at designated Service Canada offices (separate from the citizen-passport service), expanding the network significantly. Appointments are booked through IRCC's online tool. The biometrics fee is the same.

Key facts at a glance

Required ages: 14–79 (temporary residence); any age (permanent residence).
Validity: 10 years (temporary-residence applications).
Fee: CAD $85 individual / $170 family / $255 group of 3+ performers.
Where: VAC, ASC (U.S.), Service Canada, designated airport kiosks.
When: within 30 days of the BIL.
Time at appointment: ~15 minutes.
Cannot be done: by mail, remotely, or by a third party.

Source attribution

This article rewrites public information published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/biometrics.html. The original Government of Canada content is licensed under the Open Government Licence — Canada.

Verify on canada.ca

Biometrics requirements and exemptions change. Verify on canada.ca before applying: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/biometrics.html.

IRCC.com is an independent news and information aggregator. We are not affiliated with the Government of Canada and do not provide immigration services or advice. For personalized help, contact a CICC-licensed RCIC or a Canadian immigration lawyer.

IRCC.com is independent and not affiliated with the Government of Canada. Verify all details on canada.ca/immigration.