No Requirement For Biometrics In Certain Immigration Applications

Canada has declared that applicants for Canadian Permanent Residence do not need to give their biometrics if they have provided their biometrics in some other application within the last 10 years. The IRCC (Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada) has decided to waive the biometrics requirement due to the coronavirus pandemic. Several applicants are unable to submit their biometrics and this situation is causing further delay to the immigration process. Previously the Canadian government took a step of granting extra days to individuals who could not submit their complete immigration applications due to the non-availability of biometrics. However, several biometric collection service points and Visa Application Centres are not operating in Canada as well as abroad. Therefore, even extending the time for submitting biometrics is not helpful in such a scenario. Considering this, Canada has reached a decision to remove the biometrics requirement for some immigration applicants who have already submitted their biometrics previously in other immigration applications. The IRCC believes that a large number of permanent residence applications are put on hold because of the criterion of biometrics requirements. So, the government has decided to process the applications of certain applicants by waiving the demand for biometrics. This policy has become operational from September 22, 2020, onwards. And it will continue to remain in effect until further notice. Applicants who are eligible for the exemption of biometrics requirements are those who have a pending application for permanent residence or who have previously given their biometrics within the past 10 years. Regarding biometrics Canada requires biometrics of foreign nationals who apply for a permanent residence, study permit, work permit, visitor visa, refugee or asylum status. Applicants have to submit their photographs and fingerprints and also pay a fee for biometrics. Canada needs biometrics in order to get an identity confirmation of foreign nationals at the port of entry.