Biometrics Requirement for Foreign Nationals Starting Summer 2018

Foreign nationals invited to campus will be required to give their fingerprints and a photo (biometrics) when applying for a visitor visa, study or work permit (except U.S. nationals), or permanent residence from outside of Canada. As of:

• July 31, 2018 applicants from Europe, the Middle East and Africa require biometrics
• December 31, 2018 applicants from Asia, Asia Pacific and the Americas require biometrics 

Depending on citizenship, this may impact foreign nationals in the process of coming to campus.

Upon application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for a visitor visa, study or work permit, biometric requirements may be requested. To facilitate repeat travel to Canada, applicants need to give their biometrics once every 10 years. If biometrics were done previously as part of an application, the data may still be valid. If applying for the first time, biometrics are required unless the person is exempt.

If biometrics are required, the foreign national must go in person to an official biometrics collection service location. This includes:

• Application Support Centers located across the United States 
• Visa Application Centres (VACs) located around the world 

VACs are managed by private companies who are approved to provide specific services to IRCC applicants. Appointments must be scheduled. Biometric collection at the Canadian port of entry is open to eligible work or study permit applicants. A biometric fee of $85 CAD per person will apply.

Those applying for a visa, study or work permit or permanent residence who are currently in Canada are exempt until the in-Canada service is established.

More information can be found on the IRCC Biometrics Expansion web page. Please contact immigration.services@ualberta.ca with any questions.