The policy pertaining to collating biometrics from Canada PR Visa applicants has been updated by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada. With effect from 14 June 2023, all applicants for PR Visa are required to provide biometrics. It is irrespective of their previous application for Temporary Residence Visa or TRV if any.
The revision to the declared policy implies that IRCC is resuming the previous procedures for PR Visa applications that existed prior to the pandemic. During the pandemic, IRCC had implemented a policy in the GCMS - Global Case Management System making it redundant for PR applicants to provide the biometrics again. It is if they had provided them with a TRV application in the past 10 years.
Resumption of the regular processes after the pandemic
IRCC in 2020 September permitted immigrants to file applications for PR if they had filed their biometrics with IRCC in the previous 10 years. It was during the pandemic curbs when several VACs - Visa Application Centers had been shut down temporarily.
IRCC during the period had acknowledged that several applicants of PR had already or previously had TR status in Canada. Further, providing biometrics had made it unfeasible for applicants to progress ahead.
With the removal of the pandemic curbs, IRCC has been transitioning towards the resumption of service standards prior to the pandemic. One of the largest hurdles, the applications backlog has now been reduced considerably. IRCC is now functioning again at optimum capacity and in a position to quickly process applications.
An official at the IRCC has said that the reusing of biometrics for PR Visa applications was a provisional measure launched during the situation of the pandemic. As the pandemic has now ended, we have resumed our normal process that mandated applicants to offer their biometrics for supporting any applications for PR Visa. It is irrespective of the authenticity of the biometrics provided earlier, added the official.
The latest policy update is not applicable to applicants of TR status on a Study, Visitor, or Work Visa.
Biometrics
As a part of the preliminary application for any category of Visa for visiting, working, or living in Canada, IRCC mandates applicants to file their facial photograph and fingerprints. At present, the fee for submitting biometrics is CAD 85.
Biometrics is utilized for assistance in maintaining the safety of Canadians and safeguarding the immigration system’s integrity. Regarded as non-invasive for applicants, it eases their identification. Though these are compulsory for all applications for immigration, there are a few exemptions too.
For instance, citizens of more than 60 nations are exempted from having a Visa for visiting Canada and are thus not required to offer biometrics.
Furthermore, the following categories of applicants do not have to offer biometrics for arriving in Canada:
· Citizens of Canada, applicants of Citizenship inclusive of Passport, or currently Permanent Resident status holders
· Children lesser than the age of fourteen years
· Applicants more than 79 years of age, upper age exemption for asylum claimants does not exist
· Chiefs of Administration and Chiefs of State
· Ministers of Cabinet and authorized Diplomats of other nations and the UN - United Nations arriving in Canada for official business
· Claimants of refugee status or protected individuals who have offered biometrics already and are filing an application for a Work or Study Permit
· TRV applicants who have already offered biometrics for supporting an application for PR Visa that is under process
To submit an application for Canada PR Visa or Work Visa from India contact ICCRC-accredited immigration experts at New Land Visas the leading Canada PR Consultants in Noida.
