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BIOMETRICS

Jon0960

Full Member
Jun 16, 2019
35
9
Hello all. So long story short I checked if my wife needs to give biometrics when we send in our Family Class application in, and it says "As a US Citizen, you don't need to give biometrics." And then underneath it says:
"Exception: If you apply for permanent residence in Canada, you need to give your biometrics."

Would I need to supply biometrics? The exception confuses me.
 

canuck_in_uk

VIP Member
May 4, 2012
31,558
7,195
Visa Office......
London
App. Filed.......
06/12
Hello all. So long story short I checked if my wife needs to give biometrics when we send in our Family Class application in, and it says "As a US Citizen, you don't need to give biometrics." And then underneath it says:
"Exception: If you apply for permanent residence in Canada, you need to give your biometrics."

Would I need to supply biometrics? The exception confuses me.
Americans applying for temporary residence don't need biometrics. Americans applying for PR do need biometrics.

However, anyone applying for sponsorship inland, regardless of nationality, is exempt from biometrics.
 

Jon0960

Full Member
Jun 16, 2019
35
9
Americans applying for temporary residence don't need biometrics. Americans applying for PR do need biometrics.

However, anyone applying for sponsorship inland, regardless of nationality, is exempt from biometrics.
Perfect thank you. I just paid for the fees!
 

Bexi15

Star Member
Mar 11, 2019
102
59
Category........
FAM
App. Filed.......
08-02-2019
AOR Received.
28-03-2019
Med's Request
12-04-2019
Med's Done....
06-05-2019
Some recent inland applicants are starting to receive requests for biometrics now. Seems IRCC are rolling out 50+ locations within Canada as of December 2019 to submit biometrics so I would expect to have to provide them.
 

flyingColours

Full Member
Jan 31, 2019
44
35
Some recent inland applicants are starting to receive requests for biometrics now. Seems IRCC are rolling out 50+ locations within Canada as of December 2019 to submit biometrics so I would expect to have to provide them.
Interesting! Do you have a source for this?
 

Bexi15

Star Member
Mar 11, 2019
102
59
Category........
FAM
App. Filed.......
08-02-2019
AOR Received.
28-03-2019
Med's Request
12-04-2019
Med's Done....
06-05-2019

flyingColours

Full Member
Jan 31, 2019
44
35
T
https://monitor.icef.com/2019/11/canadian-immigration-officials-share-operational-updates/
It doesn't directly refer to spousal sponsorship in the article but with some inland applicants receiving biometric requests this makes sense.
The exemption for in-Canada applicants will end in December 2019. <-- very reassuring haha.

Hopefully this comes sooner :) since my husband's visiting me next week, we just sent in our application, would like to be able to give biometrics in Canada so we don't have to travel during the holidays.

Thank you very much, Bexi, for sharing such information.
 
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Bexi15

Star Member
Mar 11, 2019
102
59
Category........
FAM
App. Filed.......
08-02-2019
AOR Received.
28-03-2019
Med's Request
12-04-2019
Med's Done....
06-05-2019
Where have you seen inland applicants being requested to do biometrics?
I am a member on some Facebook groups for spousal sponsorship and I can recall at least one member who's inland app was recieved Sep 19 and they recieved a biometric request this week. They tried contacting IRCC thinking it was a mistake and were told to just follow the instructions and it wasn't a mistake..
 

Bexi15

Star Member
Mar 11, 2019
102
59
Category........
FAM
App. Filed.......
08-02-2019
AOR Received.
28-03-2019
Med's Request
12-04-2019
Med's Done....
06-05-2019
T

The exemption for in-Canada applicants will end in December 2019. <-- very reassuring haha.

Hopefully this comes sooner :) since my husband's visiting me next week, we just sent in our application, would like to be able to give biometrics in Canada so we don't have to travel during the holidays.

Thank you very much, Bexi, for sharing such information.
Well it is certainly a huge welcome for a lot of people. Hopefully they get it up and running smoothly for everyone. Goodluck with your application!
 
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Bexi15

Star Member
Mar 11, 2019
102
59
Category........
FAM
App. Filed.......
08-02-2019
AOR Received.
28-03-2019
Med's Request
12-04-2019
Med's Done....
06-05-2019
  • Like
Reactions: flyingColours

vijuureddy

Member
Jun 25, 2023
13
0
Hello everyone,

I recently submitted visitor visa applications for my wife and myself to Canada a few days ago. During the application process, I answered "NO" to the question asking if we had previously given biometrics. A family biometric fee of $170 was collected. Strangely, only I received the biometric request form to schedule an appointment. Upon checking my wife's application, it states that biometrics are not required for her.

Here's what is displayed in our application portal:

For me:
"We need your fingerprints to process your application. Please check your messages below for further details."
For my spouse:
"We do not need your fingerprints at this time. We will notify you if this changes."

My question is: If we apply for a family visitor visa, is it sufficient for only the principal applicant to provide biometrics?

If the answer is yes, then why was the fee collected for both of us?


Could someone please help me understand this situation? Thank you in advance.