Canada Biometrics 2026 — Where, When, How Much, Valid How Long
Biometrics (fingerprints + photo) are required for most IRCC applications. This page covers the 2026 process — when you need to give them, where, what it costs, how long they're valid, and who's exempt.
Who needs biometrics
Required for most applicants for:
- Visitor visa (TRV) applications
- Study permit applications
- Work permit applications
- Permanent residence applications (Express Entry, PNP, family, refugee, etc.)
- Some asylum / refugee claims
Who's exempt from biometrics
- Children under 14 (with parent/guardian application)
- Applicants over 79 (PR applicants over 79, plus all TR applicants over 79)
- Canadian citizens (and people applying using a Canadian passport)
- US visa holders transiting Canada (some specific scenarios)
- Existing Canadian work or study permit holders applying for renewal (in some cases)
- Diplomats + accredited officials
- Heads of State + government officials traveling on government business
When you give biometrics
- Submit application + pay biometric fee — biometric fee (CAD $85 single / $170 family max) is paid at submission
- Receive Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL) from IRCC — usually within 7-14 days
- 30-day window to give biometrics — book appointment + attend within 30 days of BIL
- Biometrics are linked to your application — IRCC continues processing
Where to give biometrics
Outside Canada — VFS Canada VACs
165+ Visa Application Centres worldwide, operated by VFS Global on behalf of IRCC. Locations include:
- India: 11 cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Pune, Jalandhar, others)
- Pakistan: Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore
- UAE: Abu Dhabi, Dubai
- Saudi Arabia: Riyadh, Jeddah
- Philippines: Manila, Cebu
- China: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, plus more
- UK: London (multiple), Manchester, Edinburgh
- USA: 100+ Application Support Centers (ASCs) co-located with USCIS
- Europe + Latin America + Africa — extensive coverage
Find your nearest VAC via the IRCC website (canada.ca/biometrics).
Inside Canada — Service Canada
58+ Service Canada designated biometric locations across Canada — major airports + key urban centres. Some examples:
- Toronto: multiple locations (downtown, North York, Scarborough, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Brampton, Markham)
- Vancouver: downtown + multiple Metro Vancouver locations
- Montreal: multiple locations
- Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Halifax, Winnipeg, Regina, Saskatoon, Quebec City, others
Service Canada biometrics: must book online via the Service Canada biometric appointment system. Free for the appointment itself; the CAD $85 / $170 biometric fee is paid to IRCC separately at application submission.
What to bring to the biometric appointment
- Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL) — printed or on phone
- Passport (or travel document)
- Receipt of biometric fee payment (usually included in your IRCC application receipt)
- Existing immigration documents — visa, work permit, study permit if applicable
What happens at the appointment
- VFS / Service Canada staff verify your identity + BIL
- 10 fingerprints taken via electronic scanner
- Digital photo captured
- Biometrics data uploaded to IRCC
- You receive a confirmation receipt
Total time: typically 15-30 minutes. Same-day completion.
How long are biometrics valid?
10 years for TR (visitor, study, work) applications. If you gave biometrics for any IRCC TR application within the past 10 years, you don't need to give them again for another TR — IRCC reuses them.
For PR applications: biometrics must be valid (within 10 years) at time of submission. If your biometrics are about to expire while your PR application is in process, IRCC may request fresh biometrics.
2026 changes
As of mid-2026:
- No fee changes from prior years
- Some VAC consolidations in saturated markets (no new closures impacting major hubs)
- Service Canada is expanding inside-Canada appointment capacity to meet rising domestic application demand
- Faster turnaround for biometric data linkage to applications (improving from prior 7-10 days to ~3-5 days)
Common biometric mistakes
- Giving biometrics before receiving the BIL — they won't be linked to your application
- Missing the 30-day window after BIL issuance — application gets refused for non-compliance
- Paying biometric fee twice when you have valid biometrics in IRCC's database
- Booking at a VAC far from your residence — many VACs require travel; plan logistics
- Family fee confusion — CAD $170 is the family CAP, not per-person
FAQ
When do I need to give biometrics for Canadian immigration?
After IRCC receives your application + fee, they send a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL). You have 30 days to give biometrics at an approved location. Don't give biometrics before receiving the BIL — they won't be linked to your application.
What does biometrics cost in 2026?
CAD $85 per person (single applicant), CAD $170 maximum per family (regardless of family size — so a 5-person family pays $170 total, not $425). Some applicants give biometrics free of charge — refugee claimants in Canada, asylum seekers, others.
Where do I give biometrics?
OUTSIDE CANADA: VFS Canada Visa Application Centres (VACs) — 165+ locations worldwide. INSIDE CANADA: Service Canada designated offices (58+ locations across Canada). At Canadian port of entry: limited; only for refugee claimants typically.
How long are biometrics valid?
10 years for temporary residence applications (visitor visa, study permit, work permit). For PR applications, biometrics need to be valid (or given fresh) when application is submitted. If you gave biometrics for a TR application within the past 10 years, you typically don't need to give them again for another TR — they're reused from IRCC's database.
Who's exempt from biometrics?
Children under 14, applicants over 79, Canadian citizens (including dual citizens applying as Canadian), US visa holders applying for TR while transiting Canada, holders of valid Canadian work/study permits, certain diplomats, Heads of State.
Biometrics + IRCC process — questions?
Halani Immigration Services Inc. (RCIC-IRB R711322) navigates IRCC biometric requirements + scheduling for clients globally. Free 15-min review.
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