Visa application centres in India offering limited biometrics appointments for spouses, partners, dependent children and students

Ottawa, November 25, 2020—The health and safety of our clients and staff remain the top priority for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. After temporary closures due to COVID-19, visa application centres (VACs) in India are offering limited biometrics appointments for specific, eligible clients.

With significant demand in India, those who are coming to Canada to permanently reunite with family, and those who are coming to study at one of the approved designated learning institutions (DLIs), are being prioritized.

Clients in India who are applying for a study permit and plan to study at one of the approved DLIs in Canada, or are applying for permanent residence in the family class as a spouse, partner or dependent child, can now book an appointment to enrol their biometrics at any VAC in India, namely the VACs in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad Jalandhar, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi and Pune.

To book an appointment, clients must complete the online web form on the VAC website in advance and wait for the VAC to confirm the appointment by email.

At this time, clients in India cannot submit paper applications at VACs or enrol their biometrics for an application other than for a study permit or permanent residence as a spouse, partner or dependent child under the family class. For those looking to submit their passport, a 2-way courier service is offered. Please check the VACs website for further details.

Students wishing to enter Canada must

• have a valid study permit or a letter of introduction that shows they were approved for a study permit
• be attending a DLI with a COVID-19 readiness plan approved by the province or territory where the DLI is located, as listed on IRCC’s website