ARCHIVED – Notice of Proposed Regulatory Amendments – Establishing Biometrics in Canada’s Temporary Resident Immigration Program

December 7, 2012 — Draft regulatory amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations which outline the proposed changes to establish biometrics in Canada’s temporary resident immigration program have been published in the Canada Gazette Part I for a 30-day comment period.

The Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act, which received Royal Assent on June 28, 2012, allows the government to require biometric information from applicants as part of the temporary resident visa, study and work permit application process.

Using biometrics will strengthen Canada’s immigration program as it will provide visa officers with greater certainty in screening applicants and will allow a person’s identity to be more readily confirmed upon arrival. Accordingly, biometrics will help facilitate the travel of legitimate visitors to Canada. At the same time, it will protect the safety and security of Canadians by helping prevent inadmissible individuals from entering the country.

The proposed regulations outline who would be required to provide biometric information, the biometric information that would be collected (fingerprints and a photograph), how biometric information would be collected, the biometric fee, and how biometric information could be used and disclosed for law enforcement purposes.

CIC is soliciting written comments from all interested parties on the proposed regulatory amendments. To read more about the proposed changes, please visit the Canada Gazette website.

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