From: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Canada is broadening its biometrics collection initiative in anticipation of December 31, 2018. On this date, nationals from Asia, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas will be required to provide biometrics, including fingerprints and a photograph, for visitor visas, study or work permits, or permanent residence applications.<\/p>\n Biometric data helps Canadian officials enhance security, manage identities, streamline processing, and facilitate easier entry for legitimate travelers. In response, Canada is expanding its global network of Visa Application Centres (VACs) to improve service accessibility.<\/p>\n Recently, new VACs began operations in:<\/p>\n Phase one of the biometrics expansion<\/a> rolled out successfully for nationals from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East since July 31, 2018. Following this, VACs opened in Athens, Greece; Kigali, Rwanda; Stockholm, Sweden; Berlin, Germany; and Tel Aviv, Israel, replacing temporary locations previously set up in Europe.<\/p>\n By the year’s end, Canada plans to have 152 VACs across 103 countries, including new centers in Antananarivo, Madagascar, and Cape Town, South Africa. Additional openings will be announced later.<\/p>\n Applicants can provide biometrics at any VAC they are eligible to enter, or if in the U.S., at one of 135 U.S. Application Support Centers. Canada is also boosting capacity at existing VACs, such as the 12 in China, 10 in India, and 2 in the Philippines, to meet demand.<\/p>\n Canada remains committed to privacy, incorporating robust safeguards in policies and technology, aligning with international best practices.<\/p>\n \u201cBiometrics are recognized as one of the most reliable ways to identify people and are used by more than 70 countries for immigration screening. As we prepare to roll out the next phase of biometrics expansion, which will affect our largest volume of applicants, we will continue to work closely with other governments, partners and stakeholders to ensure as smooth a transition as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2013 The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n VACs, managed by third-party services, provide administrative support for IRCC visa applicants globally, including biometrics collection.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n VACs assist applicants throughout the process, offering support via phone, email, or in person, in local languages.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n To serve clients in Asia, Asia-Pacific, and the Americas better, biometrics appointments will be required, available within five business days of request.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Exemptions to biometrics requirements include Canadian citizens, visa-exempt tourists, minors under 14, seniors over 79, and certain officials and diplomats.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n For media inquiries only:<\/strong><\/p>\n Mathieu Genest Media Relations<\/strong> Biometrics enhance security, manage identities effectively, and simplify application processing for legitimate travelers.<\/p>\n Applicants can submit biometrics at any VAC they’re eligible to enter, or at U.S. Application Support Centers if legally in the U.S.<\/p>\n Exemptions include Canadian citizens, minors under 14, seniors over 79, visa-exempt tourists, and certain officials and diplomats.<\/p>\n For more details or to start your visa application journey, read our immigration guide<\/a> today.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" New Visa Application Centres open in Asia-Pacific, the Americas, Europe and Africa November 2, 2018 \u2013 Ottawa, ON \u2013 Canada is expanding its biometrics collection program and is now taking steps to prepare for December 31, 2018, when nationals from countries in Asia, Asia Pacific and the Americas will need to give their biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) when applying for a visitor visa, study or work permit, or for permanent residence. … <\/i>Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":5681,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[89],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5683","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-immigration"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5683","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5683"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5683\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5681"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5683"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5683"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/applytocanada.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5683"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Canadian Biometrics Expansion<\/h2>\n
New Visa Application Centres<\/h3>\n
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Biometrics Collection and Privacy Safeguards<\/h2>\n
Insights from the Immigration Minister<\/h2>\n
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Key Information<\/h2>\n
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Related Links<\/h2>\n
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Media Contacts<\/h2>\n
Minister\u2019s Office
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-954-1064<\/p>\n
Communications Branch
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
613-952-1650
IRCC.COMMMediaRelations-RelationsmediasCOMM.IRCC@cic.gc.ca<\/a><\/p>\nFAQs on Biometrics and Visa Applications<\/h2>\n
What are the benefits of biometrics in visa applications?<\/h3>\n
Where can I submit my biometrics?<\/h3>\n
Are there any exemptions to providing biometrics?<\/h3>\n