Most family sponsorship applicants must pay an $85 CAD fee and provide their fingerprints and a photograph (biometrics) to the Canadian government. However, children under the age of 14 and elders aged 80 or older are legally exempt from both the process and the fee.
Protecting the integrity of Canada’s borders is a massive priority for the federal government. To ensure that individuals entering the country are who they claim to be, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) works alongside the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to collect biometric data. This involves digitally scanning your fingerprints and taking a high-resolution photograph. When sponsoring a family member-whether a spouse, a dependent child, or a parent-this biometrics collection is a mandatory step in the background check process. However, the law provides specific exemptions based on age. Knowing exactly when you are exempt can save you unnecessary processing fees and the logistical headache of travelling to a Visa Application Centre (VAC) or a Service Canada location.
Step-by-Step Process for Biometrics in Canada
Navigating the biometrics requirement is entirely time-sensitive. Whether the sponsored person is living in Montreal, Winnipeg, or overseas, the rules dictating who must pay are strictly enforced.
Step 1: Checking the Applicant’s Age on Submission Date
The most critical factor is the applicant’s exact age on the day IRCC officially receives the complete sponsorship application. If a child is 13 years old on the day the application is received, they are exempt from providing biometrics for the entirety of that specific application’s processing time, even if they turn 14 a month later. Similarly, if a parent is 80 years old on the submission date, they are fully exempt.
Step 2: Paying the Applicable Fees Upfront
If the applicant is between 14 and 79 years old, the biometrics fee must be paid at the very beginning of the process when you pay the standard processing fees. The online payment portal will ask you to add the biometrics fee. If you fail to pay this $85 CAD charge upfront, your application will be severely delayed as IRCC will eventually pause processing to send you an invoice.
Step 3: Receiving the Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL)
A few weeks or months after submitting the application, IRCC will issue a Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL) directly to the applicant’s online portal. This official document proves that the government has authorized the collection of your fingerprints. You cannot simply walk into a collection centre without this specific letter in hand.
Step 4: Booking an Appointment at an Approved Facility
Once you possess the BIL, you have exactly 30 days to provide your biometrics. If the sponsored person is inside Canada, they must book an appointment at a designated Service Canada location. If they are living overseas, they must schedule a visit to the nearest official Visa Application Centre (VAC). Missing this 30-day deadline without a valid, documented excuse can lead to the outright refusal of the sponsorship application.
Step 5: Managing Refunds for Incorrect Payments
Occasionally, families accidentally pay the biometrics fee for a child under 14. If you realize you have overpaid, IRCC’s system will typically recognize the age exemption and automatically process a refund to the original credit card used. However, this automatic process can take several months, so it is best to calculate ages carefully before submitting.
| Applicant Age on Submission | Biometrics Required? | Federal Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|---|
| Under 14 Years Old | Exempt | $0 |
| 14 to 79 Years Old | Mandatory | $85 |
| 80 Years Old and Over | Exempt | $0 |
How Much Does Biometrics Collection Cost?
The cost structure is standardized by the federal government and applies equally across all provinces:
- Individual Applicant Fee: $85 CAD per person.
- Family Maximum Fee: If you are sponsoring multiple dependents at the exact same time, IRCC caps the total biometrics fee at $170 CAD for a family of two or more.
- Travel Expenses: You must budget for the cost of travelling to the nearest VAC or Service Canada centre, as the government does not reimburse fuel or accommodation costs.
- Lawyer Fees: Most Canadian law firms bundle the management of the BIL and appointment scheduling into their standard retainer, which usually ranges from $2,500 to $5,000 CAD for a sponsorship package.
How Long Are Biometrics Valid?
For permanent residence applications (like Family Sponsorship), biometrics must be provided fresh, even if the person previously gave them for a visitor visa or study permit. However, once given for a permanent residence application, those fingerprints are stored securely in the federal database and remain valid indefinitely for the purpose of that specific application.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do Canadian citizens need to provide biometrics to sponsor?
No. The Canadian sponsor does not provide biometrics or pay the fee. Only the foreign national who is applying for permanent residency is subject to the fingerprinting requirement.
What happens if my child turns 14 while we are waiting?
Because age is locked in on the date IRCC receives the complete application, a child who turns 14 during processing remains legally exempt from giving biometrics.
Can I give biometrics at a Canadian police station?
No. While local police (like the Toronto Police or RCMP detachments) take fingerprints for criminal record checks, immigration biometrics inside Canada can only be completed at designated Service Canada centres.
Is the $170 family rate applied automatically?
Yes. If you process the payment for a family of three or more applying together for the same status, the federal payment portal will automatically cap the biometrics total at $170 CAD.
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