Why Does Canada Require Your Biometrics?

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Why Does Canada Require Your Biometrics?

Why Does Canada Require Your Biometrics?

Michael Zimmer Published:
February 11, 2023

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The term ‘Biometrics’ refers to the measurement and analysis of unique physical or behavioral characteristics, such as fingerprints, facial recognition, iris scans, or voice recognition, to identify individuals. These characteristics are unique to each individual and can be used to confirm their identity in a reliable and secure way. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires the applicant and family members to submit their biometrics once they have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA). It is worthwhile to note that you may be exempted from submitting biometrics depending on your specific circumstance as well as the type of visa application.

Why IRCC requires Biometrics?

IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) requires biometrics from certain visa applicants as part of their identity verification process to ensure the security and accuracy of their immigration and citizenship services. By collecting biometrics, IRCC can better verify the identity of applicants and help prevent identity fraud, ensuring that the individuals entering and living in Canada are who they claim to be

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The following categories are exempt from submitting their biometrics as part of visa processing:

Specific requests from applicants based on legal exemption
Asylum seekers under the age of 14
Royal Family
S. national
Head of State, diplomat or official
S. transit
Visa-exempt foreign national
Simultaneous temporary residence applications or requests
1 in 10 (for temporary resident visa applications, where biometrics was submitted in the last 10 years)
Permanent residence to temporary residence
Visiting Forces Act
Impossible or not feasible

Where to submit the Biometrics?

A person can submit their biometrics as part of their visa application process to IRCC – i.e., once they have received an Invitation to Apply (ITA). The process usually involves visiting a designated biometrics collection center, where the biometrics will be captured and processed. When submitting a visa application, the applicant will be informed if they are required to provide their biometrics and will be given instructions on how to do so. IRCC currently requires biometrics from citizens of specific countries and from certain visa applicants.

Biometrics can be submitted at designated biometrics collection centers located in various countries around the world. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) provides a list of these centers’ visa application centers (VACs) and an applicant can choose a convenient location to provide their biometrics. In some cases, biometrics can also be submitted at a Canadian visa office. In India, you can give the biometrics to Visa Facilitation Services (VFS) global.

It’s important to submit biometrics within the time frame specified by IRCC, as failure to do so may result in processing delays or the refusal of the visa application.

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Importance of Biometrics in the Immigration Process

Biometrics are important from an immigration standpoint for several reasons:

Identity verification: Biometrics help IRCC to accurately verify the identity of visa applicants and ensure that the individuals entering and living in Canada are whom they claim to be.
Fraud prevention: By collecting biometrics, IRCC can help prevent identity fraud and ensure that the immigration system is secure. This helps maintain the integrity of the immigration program and protect the safety and security of Canadians.
Improved Security: Biometrics provide a secured and accurate means of verifying the identity of visa applicants, helping to prevent identity fraud and ensuring that only those who are eligible are granted entry to the country.
Increased Efficiency: By using biometrics, IRCC can quickly and accurately verify the identity of applicants, reducing the processing time for visa applications and allowing for a more efficient and streamlined process.
Better Decision-making: Biometrics can help IRCC make more informed decisions by providing additional information about the applicant, such as previous immigration or criminal history, which can be used to assess the applicant’s eligibility for a visa.
Consistency and fairness: Biometrics help ensure that all applicants are treated consistently and fairly, as the process for collecting and verifying biometrics is standardized for all applicants.
Reduced Burden on manual checks: By automating the process of identity verification through biometrics, IRCC can reduce the burden of manual checks, freeing up resources to focus on other aspects of the immigration process.

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Overall, biometrics plays a crucial role in helping Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) maintain the security and efficiency of its immigration program while ensuring that the process is fair and consistent for all applicants.

The general purpose of a biometrics letter is to inform an individual that they are required to provide their biometrics as part of the visa application process. The letter will typically contain information on where, when, and how an individual can provide their biometrics, as well as the deadline for doing so.

Please find the sample letter of the biometrics below.

Contact us today to know if you qualify to migrate to Canada. Check out Owlspriority Immigration’s Canada Settlement Resources to learn about finding employment in Canada, making your initial days stress-free, etc.