Dear Mr Brown,

Please advise whether it is still okay if my biometrics appointment is after 30 days of submitting my visa application. Will my application be refused if my biometrics are submitted late?

—ML

Dear ML:

I receive a lot of queries about biometrics, in terms of the purpose and how it works. Biometrics refers to fingerprints and a photograph, which are required by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for applications for visitor visas, study permits, work permits, or permanent residence. Biometrics are taken for identification and security reasons, such as forgery or stealing of one’s identity. The use of biometrics is more reliable than the use of photo identification. The fingerprints and photos will give Canadian authorities more tools to verify the identity of those entering the country and to detect forged passports or other documents.

The stated rationale for biometrics is the protection of Canada from threats like terrorism. The biometric screening measures may also be used to prevent:

• Fraudulent refugee claims

• Organised crime

• Human trafficking

• Foreigners convicted of crimes in Canada who attempt to return after being deported.

Applicants must allow their fingerprints and photos to be taken at overseas visa application centres, and when they arrive in Canada, a Border Services Agency officer will verify that they are same people who applied for the visa. Visa applicants’ fingerprints are searched against the fingerprint database of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for previous immigration applicants, refugee claimants, Canadian criminal records and deportees. Collected fingerprints will be shared and matched against databases in the US, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

There are some exemptions from the requirement to provide biometric information:

• Canadian citizens, citizenship applicants (including passport applicants), and existing permanent residents

• Visa-exempt nationals coming to Canada as tourists who hold a valid Electronic Travel Authorization (“eTA”)

• Children under 14 years of age

• Applicants over 79 years of age (excluding asylum claimants)

• Heads of state and heads of government

• Cabinet ministers and accredited diplomats of other countries and the United Nations coming to Canada on official business

• US visa holders transiting through Canada

• Refugee claimants or protected persons who have already provided biometric information and are applying for a study permit or work permit

• Temporary resident applicants who have already provided biometric information in support of a permanent resident application that is still in progress.

After submitting a visa application and paying the biometrics fee, those required to provide biometrics will receive a confirmation letter, which would be taken to the Visa Application Centre (VAC) along with a passport to submit the biometrics. Sometimes due to a backlog or high volume of applications an appointment will not be available for submitting biometrics until after 30 days. I have never seen a problem in that situations as applications normally take longer than 30 days to process.

Humber College Seminar

Humber College is one of Canada’s top destinations for international students. As the local agent of Humber, I will be hosting a seminar for Humber College in Kingston for the general public. We are having free information sessions about the college and applying for study permits, work permits and permanent residence at the Courtleigh Hotel on Wednesday, March 1, 2023 at 7:00 pm. Interested persons may register at: https://www.jamaica2canada.com/contact-the-office/

Please visit JAMAICA2CANADA.COM for additional information on Canadian Permanent Residence programs, including Express Entry, The Study & Work program, Visas or Appeals, etc.

Antonn Brown, BA, (Hons), LLB, MSc, RCIC, is an immigration counsel and an accredited Canadian education agent of JAMAICA2CANADA.COM—a Canadian immigration & education firm in Kingston, and AfriCanadaServices.com in Abuja, Nigeria. Send questions/comments to documents.jamaica2canada@gmail.com