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Biometrics are your fingerprints and photo. IRCC collects it to confirm your identity and to assess your application.
In most cases, you need to give your biometrics if you apply for:
a visitor visa,
an initial work or study permit or extension,
an extension of your stay in Canada (visitor record) unless you’re from a visa-exempt country,
permanent residence,
refugee or asylum status.
If you’ve given your biometrics before, you may not need to give it again when you apply. Biometrics are valid for 10 years. You need to give it again if you change your status from temporary to permanent.
You don’t need to give your biometrics if you’re:
a Canadian citizen or citizenship applicant,
an existing permanent resident,
a visa-exempt national coming to visit only,
a child under the age of 14,
an applicant over the age of 79 (no upper age exemption for asylum claimants).
IRCC will provide you with the Biometrics Request Letter with instructions on how and where to provide your biometrics after you submit a certain type of application if it considers you necessary to provide it. You can also provide it voluntarily in certain cases.
You can use this tool if you are not sure if you need to provide your biometrics or not.
Disclaimer: Provided information is not a legal advice. Every case is unique. We recommend you to discuss your case with a specialist first.
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Check here the role of an immigration consultant in your immigration process and consequences of misrepresentation.
Last updated October 23, 2025
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