Biometrics waived for selected Canadian PR applications

Canadian immigration

Biometrics waived for selected Canadian PR applications

Canadian permanent residence applicants who have submitted their biometrics in the last 10 years no longer have to submit biometrics again when applying to move to Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced.

IRCC said this special measure has been taken to prevent delays in Canadian immigration for applicants, who might be unable to provide their biometrics due to the ongoing pandemic.

Due to the pandemic, many of the biometric collection service points and Visa Application Centers (VACs) have been unable to resume operations, both in Canada and abroad.

While these service points and VACs remain closed, thousands of Canadian immigration applications are left pending, rendering applicants unable to travel to Canada.

Eligible applicants who are exempt from providing biometrics need to meet two conditions:

  1. Applicants must have a pending or new application for permanent residence.
  2. Applicants must have submitted their biometrics within the last 10 years from the day on which they submitted their current Canadian PR application.

IRCC also said this policy will remain in place indefinitely to prevent further disruptions of travel plans of Canadian immigration applicants.