If you forgot to pay the $85 CAD biometrics fee with your IRCC application, you must quickly generate an official e-receipt through the federal online payment portal. This receipt must then be uploaded directly through your IRCC secure account (or via the IRCC Webform for paper applications) before your 30-day deadline expires to ensure you receive your Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL).
Applying for a Canadian visa, work permit, or permanent residence involves juggling numerous forms and fees. It is surprisingly common for applicants to pay their primary processing fee but completely forget to add the mandatory biometrics fee at checkout. 😞 When this happens, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) hits the pause button on your entire file and sends you a formal request letter demanding the missing payment.
You cannot simply mail a cheque or drop off cash at a local Visa Application Centre. The Canadian government requires a highly specific digital paper trail to connect your new payment to your existing, stalled application. 📝 If you fail to follow this strict online procedure within the timeframe stated in your letter, your application will be declared abandoned, and you will have to start the immigration process all over again.
Step-by-Step Process for Paying Missing IRCC Fees
Whether you are currently in Toronto, Calgary, or applying from overseas, the IRCC payment resolution system is entirely digital. You must navigate two separate government platforms: the online payment portal and the IRCC Webform. 💻 Follow these steps meticulously to rescue your application.
Step 1: Read the IRCC Request Letter Carefully
Your first action should be to download the request letter from your IRCC secure account. This letter will specify exactly how much money is missing (usually the biometrics fee) and give you a strict deadline, which is generally 30 days. ⏳ Note your Application Number and Unique Client Identifier (UCI), as you will need them shortly.
Step 2: Log into the IRCC Online Payment Portal
Do not use third-party payment sites. Go directly to the official Government of Canada “Pay your fees online” webpage. You will need to create a simple payment account using your email address, which is separate from your main GCKey immigration account. 🔒
Step 3: Select the Correct Fee Category
Navigate the menu to find the exact fee you missed. Choose “Immigration” or “Temporary Residence,” and then scroll down until you find the “Biometrics” option. 👆 Ensure you select the correct amount-individual fees differ from the maximum family rate. Add the fee to your cart and proceed to checkout.
Step 4: Complete the Transaction and Save the Receipt
Pay using a major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Amex) or a Canadian debit card. Once the transaction is approved, the system will instantly generate an official IRCC receipt with a barcode and receipt number. 📄 You absolutely must save this receipt as a PDF to your computer. Do not just take a screenshot on your phone.
Step 5: Upload Your Receipt Online
If you submitted your original application online, check your IRCC secure account (GCKey or IRCC Portal). Once the payment request is issued, the system typically opens a dedicated upload slot specifically for the missing biometrics receipt. Uploading here ensures the fastest processing. However, if you applied on paper or cannot find an upload slot, you must use the official IRCC Webform to submit the file. 📧
Step 6: Submit via the Portal or Webform
If you are uploading via your IRCC secure account, simply attach the PDF to the opened slot, verify the document, and submit. For Webform submissions, enter your name, UCI, Application Number, and date of birth exactly as they appear on your passport. Write a brief note explaining that you are submitting the missing biometrics fee receipt, attach the PDF, and click submit. You will receive an automated confirmation email shortly after.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
Biometrics fees are strictly regulated and non-negotiable. You must pay the exact amount requested in your letter, otherwise, the system will reject the payment and further delay your file. 💵
- Individual Biometrics Fee: $85 CAD per person.
- Family Biometrics Fee: $170 CAD maximum total fee for a family of two or more applying at the exact same time.
- Group Performing Artists: $255 CAD maximum total fee for a group of three or more artists applying for work permits together.
- Immigration Consultant Fees: If you hire a professional to fix your application error, they typically charge $150 to $300 CAD for this administrative task.
| Applicant Type | Amount to Pay via Portal | IRCC Form Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Single Applicant | $85 CAD | Upload receipt via Webform |
| Spouses (Applying together) | $170 CAD (Total) | Upload receipt via Webform |
| Children under 14 | $0 CAD (Exempt) | No biometrics required |
How Long Does the Process Take?
Time is of the essence when resolving a missing fee. You generally have exactly 30 days from the date on your request letter to pay and upload the receipt. 📅 Once you submit the receipt via the IRCC Webform, it usually takes IRCC between 5 to 14 business days to manually link the payment to your file. Shortly after they link it, they will issue your Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL), which gives you 30 days to physically go give your fingerprints.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why wasn’t the fee charged automatically when I applied?
Some older IRCC application portals or paper applications rely on the applicant to manually calculate and select the fees. If you uncheck the biometrics box by accident, the system will only charge the processing fee.
Can I just pay at the Visa Application Centre (VAC)?
No. You must have the Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL) in your hand before a VAC or Service Canada centre will take your fingerprints. They cannot generate this letter or accept IRCC application fees on-site.
What happens if the 30-day deadline passes?
If IRCC does not receive the receipt within the deadline, your application will likely be refused or marked as abandoned. You will lose your initial processing fee and will have to start a brand new application.
Can I send a bank draft in the mail?
Generally, IRCC has phased out physical cheques and bank drafts for most standard applications. Paying online through their official portal is the fastest, safest, and only recommended method.
How will I know IRCC got my biometrics receipt?
If you uploaded the receipt directly through your IRCC secure account, you will see the status of the document change to “Provided.” If you submitted via Webform, you will receive an automated email confirmation, and your secure account will update once a processing officer manually links the payment and issues your Biometrics Instruction Letter.
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