As of December 3, 2019, applications filed within Canada for work permit, study permit, visa extensions, and permanent residence, must give their biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at a designated Service Canada location.
Exemptions from Biometrics
The following are exempt from the biometric requirements:
- Canadian citizens, citizenship applicants (including passport applicants), or existing permanent residents;
- US citizens (unless applying for permanent residence);
- Children under the age of 14;
- Applicants over the age of 79 (there is no upper age exemption for asylum claimants);
- Heads of state and heads of government;
- Applicants who qualify for or hold a diplomatic or official visa;
- Refugee claimants or protected persons who have already provided biometrics and are applying for a study or work permit;
- Temporary resident applicants who have already provided biometrics in support of a permanent resident application that is still in progress.
- Applicants who gave biometrics in the last 10 years for a visitor visa, work permit, or study permit, and the permit or visa is still valid, don’t have to give them again if they’re applying to visit, work, or study.
Our Advice
Employers who may be affected are encouraged to contact a Wolfsdorf Rosenthal immigration attorney or reach out to the WR Global Immigration team by emailing Global@Wolfsdorf.com for case specific advise.
