Stephen Harper announced last week that Canada would be expanding their list of countries from which biometric data is required to immigrate to Canada.
Stephen Harper announced last week that Canada would be expanding their list of countries from which biometric data is required to immigrate to Canada.
This news comes in light of increasing concerns about Canadian security and rises in domestic and international terrorism. In May alone, 10 youths were arrested at Montreal’s Pierre E. Trudeau International Airport on suspicion of terrorism. Mr. Harper has said that these new measures will help to ensure the safety and security of all Canadians.
In his speech in Toronto to members of the media on Thursday June 04, Mr. Harper explained that many travellers coming to Canada and applying for visas will be required to submit to biometric screening, including fingerprints and photographs. Biometric screening is currently required from 29 countries and one territory. With these new measures, biometrics will be required from over 150 counties around the world. The citizens of Western European nations and the United States will generally be exempt from biometric screening.
Individuals applying for work or study permits and visitor visas to Canada will have to submit biometrics within 30 days of submitting their application to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
There are however exemptions to the groups of individuals required to submit an application. People under the age of 14 or over the age of 80 will not be required to submit biometrics. Additionally, those travelling on diplomatic missions or representatives of foreign governments, the United Nations, or intergovernmental agencies involving Canada will be exempt. You will also be exempt if you are moving through Canada for less than 48 hours and you are originating from the United States.
Individuals will need to re-submit their biometrics each time they apply unless they apply for a multiple entry visa. Biometric data will not be required if you are already in Canada.
These new measures are expected to be put in place by 2018 and will come with an increased fee. Applicants will pay $85 per person plus the application fee. Families applying together will only pay a joint fee of $170.
The Harper government has pledged $313 million to support this new requirement.
For more information about visitor visas, study permits, or work permits, or to find out about your ability to immigrate to Canada, please fill out our free online assessment form here.
FWCanada is a Montreal-based immigration law firm that provides professional legal services on Canadian immigration. For more tips and updates on Canadian immigration follow FWCanada on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.
