Biometrics collection not available at Service Canada offices yet
Even though some Service Canada offices may be open with limited services, biometrics collection services are still not available. Do not visit a Service Canada office to give your biometrics at this time.
Due to COVID-19, some biometrics collection sites are closed or are not offering biometric collection. These sites include
- visa application centres (VACs)
- United States (US) application support centers (ASCs)
- designated Service Canada offices
Check our website regularly to find out if the biometrics collection site closest to you has started offering collection services again.
Your application won’t be refused or closed if you can’t give your biometrics due to COVID-19 service disruptions.
Last updated: July 10, 2020
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Biometrics collection in Canada
Even though a small number of Service Canada offices may be open with limited services, biometrics collection services are currently unavailable.
Biometrics exemption for temporary residence applicants in Canada
As a temporary measure, you’re exempt from giving biometrics if you’re applying from within Canada
- to extend your stay as a student, worker or visitor
- to restore your status as a student, worker or visitor
- for a work or study permit
- for a visitor visa
- for a temporary resident permit
This applies to all new applications as well as applications already in progress.
It applies even if
- your application form for a work permit, study permit or visitor visa says it’s for applicants outside Canada
- our online application system asks you to pay a biometric fee (CAN$85)
This temporary measure does not apply if you’re outside Canada.
Biometrics fee
You do not have to pay the biometric fee when you submit your application, even if the system tells you to pay it.
If you paid the fee,
- we’ll automatically refund the fee once we finalize your application
- the online application system will automatically send you a biometric instruction letter (BIL) telling you how to give your biometrics
- You do not need to give biometrics, and you can ignore this letter.
Extension of biometrics deadline for permanent residence applicants
No application will be refused or closed if you aren’t able to give your biometrics within the period indicated on your BIL. This applies to you, even if your BIL says you have 30 or 90 days.
You don’t have to contact us for this extension, and you don’t need a new BIL to make another appointment when sites reopen. Bring your original BIL to your new appointment to show proof of payment.
While biometrics collection is temporarily suspended at Service Canada locations, do not go to another biometrics collection point, including
- Canadian ports of entry (POEs)
- other international biometrics collection sites
When Service Canada resumes collecting biometrics, you’ll have to make a new appointment at a designated Service Canada office. You won’t need a new BIL.
Biometrics collection outside Canada
If the site closest to you is closed, we’ll automatically extend your deadline to give your biometrics.
You don’t have to give your biometrics until the sites start offering collection services again. This applies to you, even if your biometrics instruction letter (BIL) says you have 30 or 90 days.
You don’t have to contact us for this extension, and you don’t need a new BIL to make another appointment when sites reopen. Bring your original BIL to your new appointment to show proof of payment.
If you can’t give your biometrics due to a location closure near you or a service disruption, don’t go to another biometrics collection site unless we tell you to. This includes
- Canadian POEs
- other international biometrics collection locations, like a VAC
If you have a biometrics appointment scheduled
- at a VAC—the VAC will tell you if your appointment is cancelled
- at a US ASC—some ASCs are starting to reopen
As biometrics collection resumes, you’ll have to make a new appointment at a VAC or ASC. You won’t need a new BIL. Check the VAC or ASC website the day of your appointment to make sure it’s open.
When biometrics collection sites reopen
When biometrics collection resumes, you can give your biometrics, even if you can’t travel to Canada yet. VACs and ASCs are starting to reopen slowly.
Keep visiting canada.ca/biometrics for updates on when biometrics collection will start again. You should book an appointment as soon as the site closest to you starts offering the service again.
You just need to pay the biometric fee (CAN$85). Once you give your biometrics, the biometric fee is non-refundable.
If you apply for temporary residence, your biometrics
- are valid for 10 years
- can be used for another visitor visa, study permit or work permit application
