IRCC updated its policy regarding the collection of biometrics for permanent resident candidates. It is being said that all Canadian PR applicants will submit biometrics from now on.
As of June 14, anyone applying for PR has to submit biometrics, irrespective of if they have previously submitted them for a temporary resident permit.
The update to the published policy indicates that IRCC is returning to its pre-pandemic processes for permanent resident applications. In addition, throughout the course of the pandemic, IRCC enacted a policy in GCMS, i.e., Global Case Management System, that made it unnecessary for PR candidates to resubmit biometrics.
Resuming The Regular Processes After The Pandemic
In September 2020, IRCC made it possible for newcomers/ immigrants to apply for permanent residence if they had submitted their biometrics to IRCC within the last decade.
This measure was in response to COVID-19 restrictions, wherein many VACs, i.e., Visa Application Centers were temporarily closed.
At that time, IRCC recognized that many PR applicants previously or already had a temporary resident status in Canada. Moreover, requiring biometrics made it impossible for candidates to move forward.
Since the restrictions of COVID began to ease, IRCC has been moving forward to resume pre-pandemic service standards. One of the noteworthy blocks, i.e., the backlog of applications has now subsided, and the department is back to working at full capacity, thus processing applications rapidly.
An IRCC official, in an email to Canadian Bar Association’s Immigration Section, asserted that the reuse of biometrics for a PR application was a temporary measure introduced during the pandemic. He further stated that since COVID situations have reached a standstill, the regular process will be resumed, wherein applicants will provide their biometrics in support of PR applications being made, irrespective of the last biometric being valid.
The changes do not apply to people applying for temporary resident status on a work, study visa or visitor. Thus, temporary residents who are applying for an extension do not need to submit biometrics again!
What Are Biometrics?
IRCC needs candidates to submit their fingerprints along with their photographs as a part of the application process for any type of permit to live, visit, or work in Canada. The present charge to submit biometrics is CAD 85.
Biometrics are used to keep Canadians safe, thus protecting the integrity of the immigration system. It is considered non-invasive for the candidates while making them easy to recognize. In addition, they are a mandatory part of all immigration applications, although there are specific exemptions.
For instance, nationals from over 60 countries are exempted from obtaining a visa to arrive in Canada. As a result, they aren’t required to submit biometrics.
Additionally, applicants in the below-mentioned categories are not required to give biometrics for traveling to the country.
- Citizens of Canada, citizenship candidates, or permanent inhabitants
- Children under 14 years of age
- Candidates over 79 years
- State Heads & Government Heads
- US visa holders transiting through Canada
- Cabinet Ministers & accredited diplomats of different countries arriving in Canada on official business
- Protected persons/ refugee claimants who have already provided biometrics & are applying for a work/ study permit
- Temporary resident applicants who have provided biometrics in support of a PR application which is yet in progress