Biometrics and the application process
We refer to your fingerprints and photo as biometrics. We collect biometrics for most applications. Find out what happens from when you submit your application to when you get to Canada and where biometrics fits in the process.
1. Apply for your visitor visa, study permit or work permit
If you want to visit, study or work in Canada, make sure you’re eligible to apply. Use our application guides to help fill out your application properly, then submit your application.
Avoid processing delays by sending us a complete application.
2. Get your fingerprints and photo taken
If you’re between 14 and 79 years old, you probably need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics).You only need to give your biometrics once every 10 years to make repeat trips to Canada easier.
- You must pay thebiometrics feewhen you submit your application.Otherwise you may experience delays.
- Get this doneas soon as you get the letterfrom us that tells you to give biometrics.
- You have30 daysto do this from the date on the letter.
Find out who needs to give, how to give, andwhere to give your biometrics.
3. We process your application
After we get your biometrics, we start processing your application. See how long it takes to process your application.
If we need more information from you, we’ll contact you.
4. We make a decision on your application
When we finish reviewing your application, we let you know if you’re approved to come to Canada. If you are, we issue your documents.
If your application is refused, we send you a letter that tells you why.
5. You travel to Canada (if you’re approved)
Make sure you travel with the documents we gave you. This includes travel documents like a visitor visa, study or work permits or an eTA (electronically linked to your passport).
Airline staff and border service officers at ports of entry will ask to see your travel documents. If you don’t have them, you may not be able to board your flight to Canada.
Make sure children under 18 travel with the right documents.
6. We check your identity when you arrive in Canada
When you arrive, we check your identity to make sure that you are the same person who was approved to travel to Canada. We may use your biometrics to do this.
If we can’t verify your identity, you may be detained by a border services officer. These officers help protect the health and safety of Canadians.
If the officer determines that you’re not admissible to Canada, you won’t be allowed to enter Canada. If you came by air, you’ll have to take a return flight to where you came from.
7. You’re allowed to enter Canada
If you pass the identity check and meet the entry requirements, the border services officer stamps your passport and lets you know how long you can stay in Canada. You’re normally allowed to stay in Canada for up to six months.
Children under 18 must meet the same entry requirements as adults. The border services officer may ask minor children to show other documents depending on whether the child is travelling alone or with someone.
Basic entry requirements
You must meet some basic requirements to enter Canada. You must:
- have a valid travel document, like a passport
- be in good health
- have no criminal or immigration-related convictions
- convince an immigration officer that you have ties—such as a job, home, financial assets or family—that will take you back to your home country
- convince an immigration officer that you will leave Canada at the end of your visit
- have enough money for your stay
- The amount of money you will need depends on how long you will stay and if you will stay in a hotel, or with friends or relatives.
Some people are not admissible to Canada, which means they are not allowed to enter the country. You can be inadmissible for several reasons, including being involved in:
- criminal activity
- human rights violations
- organized crime
You can also be inadmissible for security, health or financial reasons.
Find out more about inadmissibility.
Biometrics fee
- Individualapplicant: CAD $85
- Families applying at the same time: maximum total fee of CAD $170
- Groups of 3 or more performing artists and their staffwho apply for work permits at the same time: maximum total fee of $CAD 255
How to apply for a post-graduation work permit
You can apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) from inside Canada or from another country, as long as you’re eligible.
You haveup to 180 days after you graduateto apply for a PGWP.
When you apply, you must confirm the following:
- that you attended and completed your program
- the name of your program and
- the length of your program
You can confirm these by submitting any of the following:
- your degree or diploma
- your transcript or
- an official letter from your school
If your study permit will expire before you get your marks, you have 2 options. You can
- apply for a visitor record to stay in Canada longer or
- leave Canada and apply for your PGWP
If your study permit expires before you apply
If you don’t change your status to visitor and your study permit expires, you have up to 90 days after your study permit expires to apply for a PGWP and restore your status as a student.
To restore your status as a student, you must
- apply online for your PGWP and pay the correct fee ($255) and
- pay the fee to restore your status as a student ($379)
- Because of system limitations, you must pay the fees to restore your status as a student online and attach a copy of the receipt to your PGWP online application. You don’t need to make a separate application to restore your status as a student.
You can’t work until your study permit and work permit have been approved.
If you don’t apply within the 90 days, or if the 90 days have already passed, you must leave Canada.
Get your documents ready
Before you can apply for a PGWP, you need one of the following to prove you’ve completed your studies:
- a degree or diploma
- an official letter from your school
- an official transcript, or a copy of your transcript from your school’s website
We may request other documents once we receive your application.
How you can apply for a PGWP depends on where you’re applying from. In most cases, you must apply online.
To work in a field that requires a medical exam
If you want to work in a field that requires a medical exam, you can get an upfront medical exam (no more than 90days before you apply). With valid results from a medical exam on your file, your PGWP won’t have a condition that restricts the types of jobs you may work in.
If you need to extend your PGWP or change its conditions
You must apply on paper if you’re extending or changing the conditions of your PGWP. You can only extend your PGWP if your passport expired before your PGWP’s validity period.
This would be indicated in a note on your initial PGWP.
You may need to change the conditions on your PGWP if you need to provide an additional document, like a medical exam, after you already applied.
How to remove the job restrictions on your PGWP
There may be restrictions on your PGWP because you didn’t have amedical exambefore you came to Canada. These restrictions prevent you from working in
- jobs that bring you into close contact with people, such as
- workers in health care settings
- clinical laboratory workers
- patient attendants in nursing and geriatric homes
- medical students admitted to Canada to attend university
- medical electives and physicians on short-term loc*ms
- workers in primary or secondary school settings or workers in child care settings
- domestics
- workers who give in-home care to children, the elderly or people with disabilities
- day nursery employees
- other similar jobs
- jobs in agriculture, if you’ve visited or lived in 1 ofthese countriesfor more than 6months during the past year
You must get a medical exam within 90days of your arrival. You will need a chest X-ray and blood test.
You may need to pay a fee for this exam.
Once you get your medical exam results, you can ask to have these restrictions removed. To do this, you must follow the instructions below toapply for an open work permit in Canada. Then, we can issue you a new work permit without job restrictions.
How applying online helps you:
- no courier fees or mail delivery time—we get your application instantly
- your application may be processed more quickly
- it helps you make sure your application is complete before you submit it
- you can quickly submit more documents online (if we ask you to)
- you get updates on the status of your application directly in your online account
Get the instructions
Answer a few questions to get your instructions.
You need to enable Javascript to be able to use the tool.
Apply online from outside Canada
Step 1: Make sure you have what you need
To apply online, you’ll need:
- a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents, and
- a valid credit or debit card.
Step 2: Read the instruction guide
Even if you apply online, you should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.
Step 3: Prepare your answers for the online tool
Before you can upload your forms, you must answer some questions. We use your answers to create a personalized document checklist for you.
Step 4: Know the fees you have to pay
In most cases, your fees will include:
- processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application
- biometrics
We’ll ask you to pay your fees at the end of your application. Make sure you pay both the open work permit holder fee and the work permit fee.
Third-party fees
Depending on your situation, you may need to pay third parties for:
- medical exams
- police certificates
- services at a Visa Application Centre, if you use one.
If you need to use any of these services, you’ll pay these fees directly to the third party.
Biometrics fee
In most cases, you should pay a biometrics fee when you submit your application. Otherwise you may experience delays. The biometrics fee covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo. Find out if you need to give your biometrics.
Step 5: Create your online account or sign in
You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to:
- pay your fees
- submit your application
- check your status
Create an account or sign in
Apply on paper from outside Canada
Step 1: Get the application package
The application package includes an instruction guide and all the forms you need.
Read the instruction guide before you complete your application. We won’t refund your application fee, so make sure you’re eligible for a PGWP before you apply.
Get the application package.
Step 2: Complete your application and attach your documents
Make sure you include all the documents we ask for. Your application may be delayed if information or documents are missing. The document checklist in the application package lists all the documents to include.
Answer all questions carefully, completely and truthfully.
Third-party fees
Depending on your situation, you may need to pay third parties for:
- medical exams
- police certificates
- language testing
- services at a Visa Application Centre, if you use one.
If you need to use any of these services, you’ll pay these fees directly to the third party.
Step 3: Pay your applications fees
In most cases, your fees will include:
- processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application
- biometrics
You’ll need to pay your fees online before you submit your application. Make sure you pay both the open work permit holder fee and the work permit fee. To do this:
- Go to pay your fees online.
- Select Temporary Residence for a list of fee options.
- Select both the work permit fee and the open work permit holder fee.
- Follow the instructions to complete your payment. Save a copy of your receipt to your computer.
- Print and attach a copy of your receipt to your completed application.
Our instruction guide can help you understand which fees apply to you and show you how to pay them.
Biometrics fee
In most cases, you should pay a biometrics fee when you pay your application fees. If you don’t, you may experience delays. The biometrics fee covers the cost of collecting fingerprints and a digital photo. Find out if you need to give your biometrics.
Step 4: Submit your application
Submit your completed application to the address given in the application package. Make sure you include the fee receipt and all the necessary documents.
Apply online from inside Canada
Step 1: Make sure you have what you need
To apply online, you’ll need:
- a scanner or camera to create electronic copies of your documents, and
- a valid credit or debit card.
Step 2: Read the instruction guide
Even if you apply online, you should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.
Step 3: Prepare your answers for the online tool
Before you can upload your forms, you must answer some questions. We use your answers to create a personalized document checklist for you.
Step 4: Know the fees you have to pay
In most cases, your fees will include processing fees for you and anyone you include on your application.
We’ll ask you to pay your fees at the end of your application. Make sure you pay both the open work permit holder fee and the work permit fee.
COVID-19: Changes to biometrics requirement for in-Canada temporary residence applicants
As a temporary measure, if you’re in Canada and applying to work, study or stay temporarily in Canada, you do not need to give your biometrics. Learn more about the exemption.
Step 5: Create your online account or sign in
You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to:
- pay your fees
- submit your application
- check your status
Create an account or sign in
If you can’t apply online
You can submit a paper application if either:
- you can’t apply online because of a disability
- there’s a problem with the online application
What to do if you can’t apply online
Some people applying for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) may have trouble using the online application. For example, if you’re applying to:
- extend your PGWP or
- change the condition on your PGWP
In these cases, you may need to apply on paper.
