Applicants who are already in Canada are now exempt from biometric requirements

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, IRCC has been taking exceptional measures to guarantee the health and safety of all. The biometrics requirement has been temporarily canceled by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for temporary resident candidates who are now in Canada.

Gathering biometrics comprises taking fingerprints and a photograph of all candidates for a visitor visa, a work permit, a student permit, permanent residence, expanding their stay in Canada, or extending their study or work permit.

This means the candidates who are looking to apply for, extend, or restore their study permits, work permits or visitor visas, can do without performing the biometric requirement. This is also applicable to those who wish to apply for a temporary resident permit.

However, this change does not apply to candidates who are not currently in Canada. Those candidates are still required to provide their biometrics. 

Applicants previously had to submit their biometric information at a local Service Canada office. However, due to the pandemic, IRCC first decided that applications will not be refused should an applicant be unable to provide his/her biometrics, until they are able to do so.