Biometrics for a Canada Visa: What to Expect

Biometrics for a Canada visa are your fingerprints and a digital photo. Most visitor visa applicants aged 14 to 79 give them in person after they apply and pay. Biometrics cost $85 CAD per person, and once collected they stay valid for 10 years.

What biometrics are and who needs to give them

Biometrics are two simple things: a scan of your fingerprints and a digital photograph. IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) uses them to confirm your identity and to check it against records. Giving biometrics is a standard part of the visitor visa process, so it isn’t a sign that anything is wrong with your file.

Here’s who the rule applies to:

• Applicants aged 14 to 79 generally must give biometrics as part of a visitor visa application.
• Children under 14 are usually exempt, so young kids don’t need to attend a collection point.
• People 80 and older are usually exempt as well.

Exemptions can change, and there are special cases IRCC handles separately, so always confirm the current rules on the official IRCC website at canada.ca before you plan your appointment. If you want the full picture of the application first, our guide on how to apply for a Canada visitor visa walks through every step.

How much biometrics cost

The biometrics fee is $85 CAD per person. This is charged on top of the visitor visa application fee, which is a separate $100 CAD. So a single adult applicant typically pays both: $100 CAD for the visa and $85 CAD for biometrics.

Some groups, such as families applying together, may qualify for a family cap on the biometrics fee, meaning the total is limited rather than charged per person. These caps and any group rules change from time to time, so check the current amounts on canada.ca before you pay. You pay the biometrics fee when you submit your application, not at the collection point.

The step-by-step process

Once you know you need biometrics, the order is straightforward:

• Submit and pay: Complete your visitor visa application, then pay the visa fee and the biometrics fee together.
• Receive your Biometric Instruction Letter: After you pay, IRCC issues a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL). This letter confirms you need to give biometrics and tells you where you can do it.
• Book an appointment: Use the BIL to book a time at a designated collection point. Booking early helps, since appointment slots fill up in busy locations.
• Attend in person: Go to the collection point and give your fingerprints and photo. You have 30 days from the date on your BIL to do this, so don’t leave it too long.

Bring your BIL and a valid passport to the appointment. The visit itself is short, usually just a few minutes for the fingerprint scan and photo. Knowing this timing also helps you plan around the wait for a decision; you can see typical windows in our guide on Canada visitor visa processing time.

Where you give your biometrics

You give biometrics in person at a designated collection point. For most people applying from outside Canada, that means a Visa Application Centre (VAC). Your Biometric Instruction Letter is the source of truth here: it lists the collection points available to you based on where you are.

You can’t give biometrics by mail or online, and you can’t send someone in your place. It has to be you, in person, so plan travel to the nearest collection point if there isn’t one in your city. If your closest VAC is far away, factor that trip into your 30-day window.

The 10-year rule

Here’s the part that saves people time on future trips: your biometrics are valid for 10 years. You give them once, and for the next decade IRCC can reuse them for later applications.

That means if you apply for another Canada visa within that 10-year period, you may not have to give biometrics again, and you may not have to pay the $85 CAD fee a second time. It’s worth checking your status on canada.ca before you reapply, since the system will tell you whether your biometrics are still on file and valid.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to give biometrics every time I apply for a Canada visa?

Usually not. Biometrics are valid for 10 years, so if you gave them recently and they’re still valid, you can often reuse them for a new application without paying again. Confirm your biometrics status on canada.ca before you reapply.

What happens if I miss the 30-day deadline on my BIL?

You should give your biometrics within 30 days of the date on your Biometric Instruction Letter. If you can’t, contact IRCC through the details on your letter as soon as possible. Missing the window can delay your application, so book your appointment early to stay safe.

Do my children need to give biometrics?

Children under 14 are usually exempt, so they don’t need to give fingerprints or a photo. Applicants aged 14 to 79 generally do. Because exemptions can change, confirm the current age rules for your family on canada.ca before you book.

Code X Elite is a document preparation and form-filling service, not a law firm. We don’t give legal advice, and you submit your own application. Our job is to help you prepare accurate, well-organized paperwork so your file is ready to go.

Ready to get your paperwork in order? Start a prepared Canada visitor visa application with Code X Elite and give your biometrics with confidence, knowing your documents are complete and correct.