When to give your biometrics – Temporary resident applicants

On this page

• If you haven’t given your biometrics before
• If you’ve given your biometrics before
• If your application was refused because you didn’t give biometrics

If you haven’t given your biometrics before

You must give your biometrics when you apply for your visitor visa, study or work permit, unless you’re exempt.

Find out how to give your biometrics.

If you’ve given your biometrics before

Your biometrics are valid for 10 years. If you gave your biometrics within the last 10 years

• they’ll be automatically attached to your new visitor visa, work or study permit, or extension
• you don’t need to give them every time you apply for temporary residence

However, we can’t issue your visa or permit beyond the expiry date of your biometrics. If you want a visa or permit for a longer period of time, you can extend the validity of your biometrics by giving them again when you apply, even if they’re still valid.

Check the status of your biometrics

Find out if your biometrics are still valid and when they expire using the Check status tool.

How to extend the validity of your biometrics

Even if your biometrics are still valid, you can choose to give them again so your visa or permit is valid for a longer period of time.

Follow these steps when you apply for your visa or permit:

1. Pay the biometrics fee when you apply, unless you’re exempt.
2. Wait for your biometric instruction letter (BIL). You must use the BIL that was issued for this application.
3. Follow the instructions on your new BIL to book an appointment to give your biometrics again.
   • You must give your biometrics at an official biometric collection location either inside or outside Canada.

If your visa or permit has been issued for a shorter period of time because of your biometrics validity

We can’t issue a visa or permit more than 10 years from the last time you gave your biometrics.

Once your visa or permit has been issued, you can’t give your biometrics again to extend the validity of your document.

If you want to have a visa or permit with a longer validity, you must

• apply for a new visa or apply to extend your stay as a visitor, worker or student
• pay the associated fees (including the biometrics fee)
• give your biometrics again

If your application was refused because you didn’t give biometrics

If your application has been refused, don’t try to give your biometrics.

Give your biometrics only if you

• reapply
• pay the associated fees, including the biometrics fee
• receive a new BIL

If you use your old BIL, there may be delays in your application processing, or your application may be refused.

Who’s exempt from giving their biometrics

You don’t need to give your biometrics, if you’re

• a Canadian citizen, citizenship applicant (including passport applicants)
• an existing permanent resident
• You’re coming to visit Canada only and applying for an eTA
• a head of state and heads of government
• an applicant who qualifies for or holds a diplomatic or official visa
• US visa holder transiting through Canada
• an applicant for a visitor visa, a study permit or a work permit who has already provided biometrics for a permanent resident application that’s still being processed
• a child under the age of 14
• an applicant over the age of 79
  • There is no upper age exemption for asylum claimants