Service Canada reopens online scheduling for biometrics

As per an official notice dated November 27, 2020, “The Service Canada appointment system for scheduling biometrics appointments will reopen online on Monday, November 30, 2020”.

The notice was published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada [IRCC].

A program operated by Employment and Social Development Canada, Service Canada provides a single point of access to various services and benefits offered by the Canadian government.

These can be availed either in person, over the internet, by phone or via mail.

With the reopening of the scheduling for biometrics appointments, clients of IRCC will now be able to book their own biometrics online.

IRCC has advised that their clients choose the Services Canada office nearest to them for booking an appointment. Only the IRCC clients with prior appointments will be able to use the service. Currently, walk-in service is not available.

Since the middle of September 2020, officers of Service Canada have been contacting clients for scheduling their biometrics appointments. However, as of November 30, those that have not been contacted should make use of the online scheduling tool for scheduling their appointments themselves.

Canadian permanent residence applicants that have not enrolled their biometrics within the previous 10 years will require an appointment for fulfilling the biometric requirement of their Canada PR application.

By biometrics is meant a photograph and fingerprints.

Generally, an individual will be required to give their biometrics when applying for any of the following for Canada –

A visitor visa A study permit A work permit Permanent residence Asylum or refugee status Extension of stay in Canada [visitor record], as of December 3, 2019 Extension of study permit, as of December 3, 2019 Extension of work permit, as of December 3, 2019

The list of individuals exempted from giving their biometrics includes children below the age of 14 and those more than 79 years old.

The applicants that had given their biometrics within the last 10 years – for a visitor visa, study permit, or work permit – will not be required to give the same again if they are applying to visit Canada, or for work abroad or study overseas in Canada. Provided, however, that the biometrics provided are still valid.

As per the November 27 Notice by IRCC, “Public policies exempting temporary residence applicants in Canada, and permanent residence applicants who have enrolled their biometrics in the last 10 years, continue to be in effect.”

If you are looking to Study, Work, Visit, Invest or Migrate Overseas, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No. 1 Immigration & Visa Company.

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