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August 30, 2020

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October 4, 2020

Cassandra Fultz, RCIC-IRB

Cassandra specializes in immigration to Canada from the USA, as well as immigration cases pertaining to Procedural Fairness Letters (PFL), post-deportation Authorization to Return to Canada (ARC), Study Permits, PR Card Renewal on Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds, Criminal Rehabilitation, Temporary Resident Permits, Canadian citizenship, Family Sponsorship, and Visitor Visas. She advocates for her clients with an impressive success rate, including for applications with prior refusals.

Published by Cassandra Fultz, RCIC-IRB on September 15, 2020

How To Give Biometrics

You can ONLY give Biometrics at Service Canada if you are a PR applicant AND
You have received a biometric instruction letter (telling you to provide biometrics) AND
An Officer calls you to schedule an appointment for you to give your biometrics at Service Canada

You cannot provide your biometrics inside Canada until an officer calls you to schedule an appointment.

Do not go to the port of entry (Canadian border) to provide biometrics
Do not call the Service Canada call centre
Biometrics collection centres outside Canada are also opening gradually – check the VAC nearest you to see if they are open if you are outside Canada

How Soon Can You Give Biometrics?

Service Canada is calling people to give biometrics based on two factors:

How long ago they applied for PR
Where they live

Those who have been waiting the longest will be contacted first. Applicants who live in a highly populated area such as greater Toronto or Vancouver will take longer to receive an appointment based on how many applicants need to give biometrics.

What Happens When Service Canada Calls?

When Service Canada calls you, you will have to provide them with the following information:

Your IRCC application number (located on your biometrics instruction letter)
Preferred appointment location
Preferred appointment time based on availability.

If you applied for PR using an immigration consultant or lawyer, and their phone number is listed with IRCC as the phone number on file for the application, Service Canada will call your consultant or lawyer rather than calling you directly. You can update or change the phone number on file with IRCC by submitting a Case Specific Enquiry webform.

Who Has To Give Biometrics?

Inside Canada, only applicants for PR are currently required to give biometrics. Applicants for temporary residence such as a work or study permit are still exempt from giving biometrics.

Deadlines to provide biometrics have been extended indefinitely – regardless of the deadline on a biometrics instruction letter, no application for PR will be refused due to the applicant’s inability to provide biometrics by that deadline regardless of whether it is 30 or 90 days.

Who Cannot Give Biometrics?

The following individuals will not be allowed to give biometrics:

symptoms of COVID-19, including a fever, a cough or difficulty breathing
had contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the past 14 days
been instructed by local public health authorities to self-isolate due to travel or contact history

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