All Canadian PR applicants will now be required to submit Biometric, Irrespective of Previous Submission.

On June 14, 2023, IRCC discontinued the temporary policy that exempted certain foreign nationals applying for PR (permanent residency) from the biometrics requirement.

This interim public policy will no longer be relevant to applications for permanent residency submitted on or after June 14, 2023, according to an official IRCC program delivery update.

What is Biometrics?
A person can be recognised by their unique physical traits, known as biometrics.

The terms "biometrics" and "fingerprints" are used to refer to the fingerprints and photographs needed for Canadian immigration.

Foreign nationals applying for permanent residency (PR) are exempt from giving biometric information under this interim provision, which was implemented during the COVID.

Only those candidates who have previously provided their biometric information for an immigration or visa application within the preceding ten years were eligible for this.

Prior to June 14, 2023, PR applications that satisfy the aforementioned criteria will still be handled without the use of biometrics.

So, all foreign nationals requesting permanent residency (PR) must now submit their biometric data.

I am in Canada on a work permit. Even though I provided my biometrics 4 years ago, do I still need to provide them if I am filing for PR after June 14?

If you are between the ages of 14 and 79 and intend to apply for permanent residency under the family class, economic class, or refugee category after June 14, 2023, you must provide your fingerprints, even if you previously provided the biometrics and they are still valid.