Today, the Government of Canada announced that they are “resuming the collection of biometrics” for individuals applying for temporary residence (TR) from within Canada.

This resumption comes more than 31 months after Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) – on July 15, 2020 – introduced a temporary exemption policy (because of COVID-19 pandemic closures and service disruptions) on biometrics submissions for TR applicants applying from inside Canada.

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This change impacts all individuals applying for temporary residence, including five applicant groups that were identified explicitly in IRCC’s press release:

• Individuals applying for a work permit or study permit
• Individuals applying for a temporary resident permit
• Individuals applying for a visitor visa
• Individuals applying to extend their stay as a student, visitor or worker
• Individuals applying to restore their status as a student, visitor or worker

Note: Despite this decision, IRCC notes that certain exemptions and “some temporary measures for biometrics collection” remain in place for “special situations”

Submitting biometrics

Individuals required to submit their biometrics as part of a TR application must ensure they pay the biometrics fee during the application submission process. Applicants will then receive a biometric instruction letter via email and find information on how to give biometrics online.

There are more than 70 Service Canada Centre collection sites across the country where TR applicants can submit their biometrics, but biometrics collection sites operate by appointment only.

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