Canada Biometric Appointment 2025: How to Confirm Biometric Appointment?

Getting your visa or permit application to Canada requires more than just filling out forms - it involves biometric enrollment, a crucial step in the process. In India, this can be done at VFS Global centers, ensuring your identity and eligibility are verified.

As part of Canada's immigration process, biometrics are mandatory for a variety of applications, including study permits, work permits, and visitor visas. Let's explore how you can schedule and prepare for your VFS Canada Biometric appointment from India to make your journey smoother.

Canada Biometric Appointment: Why is it Important?

Biometrics are now a part of the visa application process in Canada, and they are also checked when you enter the country. The biometric data you are required to provide during the visa application includes your photograph and fingerprints.

• Biometrics plays a crucial role in verifying the identity of applicants.
• To ensure that the applicant meets the necessary immigration criteria to Canada.
• To help visa officer verify for past convictions of violations of Canadian immigration laws (if any)

Are you curious about how biometrics are recorded and used in the immigration process, and prospects for your Canada visa process, then let’s get your biometric appointment for Canada scheduled right away

Canada Biometric Appointment: Who Needs to Record Biometrics?

The applications or visa types that would need to schedule biometric appointments for Canada are listed below. You will need to provide biometrics for visa application if you have applied for

• Canada Visitor Visa
• Canada Work Permit or Study permit (US nationals are exempted)
• Refugee or Asylum Seekers
• Canada PR Visa
• Request an extension of stay in Canada (Visitor’s record)
• Canada work or study permits extension

*Citizenship applicants, current Canada PR holders, children below 14 years of age, and elders above 79 years are exempted from the requirement of Canada biometrics

Canada VFS Biometric Appointment: How to Book Biometric for a Canada Visa in India?

When applying for a Canadian visa, work or study permit, or permanent residency, the provision of your biometrics (fingerprint and photo) might be necessary. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to book and prepare for your biometric appointment:

Step 1: Determine if Biometrics are Required

First-time applicants would need to provide biometrics mandatorily unless exempted. However if you have previously undergone a biometric appointment for Canada, then ensure to check the validity and expiry of your biometrics

Step 2: Pay Biometric Fee

To book a Canada appointment slot for biometrics you would need to pay a non-refundable fee as part of your application submission.

Step 3: Obtain Biometric Instruction Letter

Once you have completed the payment for booking your Canada appointment, you will receive a confirmation letter, with details about requirements for your biometric appointment and location details.

*It is important to carry the instruction letter along with you on the day of the Canada biometric appointment.

Step 4: Schedule Your Canada Appointment

Applicants need to note that the biometric appointments for Canada need to be booked or scheduled only through the eServiceCanada appointment booking portal.

Step 5: Prepare for Canada Appointment

On the date of your Canada biometric appointment, firstly ensure to familiarise yourself with the safety regulations practiced by your assigned VAC, like using face masks, etc. Also, check the working status of the assigned VAC well in advance and carry all the required documents along with the biometric instruction letter.

Step 6: Provide Your Biometrics

At your Canada appointment centre, you will asked to scan your fingerprints and have a picture clicked. These will be used to verify your identity and further for the background verification process.

Explore the  Canada Visa processing time for different visas in this detailed article.

Documents Required for Canada Biometric Appointment

When attending your biometric appointment for Canada, it is essential to have the necessary documents with you. Ensure you bring all required paperwork to avoid delays in the process. Below is a list of the key documents you will need.

• Your Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL)
• A valid passport or travel document
• Any additional documents mentioned in your BIL
• Proof of your appointment booking

Learn how to apply for a Canada Visitor Visa online here and apply correctly!

When to Submit Your Biometric for Canada Visa in India

After submitting your visa or permit application, you will receive a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL) from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), outlining the next steps for your biometric appointment. You typically have 30 days from the letter's date to complete this step. Below is a guide on when biometrics are required based on your application type.

VFS Canada Biometric Appointment India: Important Points to Remember

Now that you are familiar with how to book an appointment for biometrics in Canada. Moving ahead let us learn what you should bring along or ensure when you visit the Visa Application Centre for your Canada biometric appointment:

• Please aim to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled VFS biometric appointment Canada slot.
• It's essential that you, the visa applicant, attend the appointment in person. Sending someone else in your place is not permitted.
• Only applicants and one parent or caregiver accompanying a child under 18 years old are allowed to enter the Visa Application Centre.
• Ensure you bring the following documents:
  • A printed copy of your visa application
  • Two copies of 2D barcoded sheets
  • Two copies of your passport's bio page
  • A valid passport or travel document
• If you've applied for a visa online and have received the Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL), bring a printed copy of the “BIL”, the consent form, and a valid passport or travel document with at least two blank pages on both sides.
• Remember to carry all the necessary supporting documentation in both original and copy forms.
• Children under 14 years old do not need to attend the Canada appointment biometrics, as they are not required to provide fingerprint information.
• If you're accompanying a child under 18 years old, please note that the accompanying adult cannot be a member of VFS Global staff.

Learn how to transform your Canada Tourist Visa into a Work Permit in this article!

List of VACs in India: For Biometric Appointment for Canada

Now that you're looking to schedule your biometric appointment for Canada in India, you have the option to select from the following IRCC-approved Visa Application Centers (offices) available in the country:

Tips for a Successful Biometrics Appointment Canada

Along with the mandatory pointers to be ensured there are a few more things that you ought not to miss for ensuring a smooth Canada fingerprint appointment and process. These tips include:

• When getting your photo taken, ensure your entire face is visible. If you prefer, you can request to be photographed by someone of the same gender and even ask for a privacy curtain. Your religious headgear mustn't obstruct your face.
• Avoid wearing white or light-colored clothing, including headgear. Vibrant and bright colors tend to work best for your photo.
• Refrain from applying henna to your hands before giving your fingerprints.
• Check that any injuries, cuts, or cracks on your fingertips have fully healed before providing your fingerprints.

If the initial fingerprinting doesn't capture well, you might need to schedule a second appointment for the process.

Read this article to learn about the Canada Visa fees for different types of visas.

Rescheduling Canada Biometric Appointment

Applicant can reschedule their Biometric appointment for a Canada visa in case they are not able to attend on the scheduled date at the application center.

• To request rescheduling applicant would need to send a request letter to the IRCC or application center detaining the reason for the change requested.
• An appointment can only be rescheduled to a maximum of 2 times after which the application or appointment will stand cancelled.
• The applicant will have to again pay for the applicable biometric fee for a Canada visa.

Need Assistance for Canada Biometric Appointment? Contact GetGIS

The biometric appointment is a critical part of the Canadian immigration process. Being informed and prepared is key to ensuring your identity is verified and the necessary checks are conducted efficiently.

While the specifics can vary, following the provided guidelines is essential. A successful biometric appointment brings you closer to your goal of visiting or living in Canada.

Are you in search of exceptional assistance for your Canada visa application? GetGIS is here for you. From the visa application process to mock interviews to post-landing services we have you all covered. Just relax and experience the ease of navigating through the Canada Immigration process with our expert guidance.

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Useful Links: For Further Reads

• Canada Study Visa Processing Time
• How To Study in Canada After 12th From India?
• Canada LMIA Processing Time
• Canada PR Processing Time from India