You do not need to be a citizen or permanent resident of a country to submit your Canadian biometrics there. As long as you have a valid Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL), digital nomads and travellers can book an appointment at any authorized Visa Application Centre (VAC) globally. The IRCC biometrics fee is $85 CAD.
In today’s highly mobile world, many people work as digital nomads or take extended gap years travelling the globe. If you apply for a Canadian Visitor Visa, Study Permit, or Work Permit while you are on the road, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will eventually email you a Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL). This letter requires you to provide your fingerprints and a digital photograph so the Canadian government can run mandatory security and identity checks.
A very common source of anxiety for international travellers is whether they must fly all the way back to their home country to complete this step. 📍 Fortunately, the Canadian immigration system is designed with global flexibility in mind. Whether you are an Australian citizen currently backpacking through Colombia, or an Indian national working remotely in the United Arab Emirates, you can legally complete your Canadian biometrics at the nearest authorized collection point. IRCC does not care where your fingerprints are collected, as long as the facility is officially sanctioned by the Canadian government.
Understanding Visa Application Centres (VACs) Worldwide
To collect biometrics internationally, the Canadian government partners with private companies, primarily VFS Global. These authorized facilities are known as Visa Application Centres (VACs). They act as a secure bridge between you and IRCC, ensuring your fingerprints are digitally encrypted and sent directly to the federal database in Ottawa without being intercepted or mishandled.
It is crucial to understand that Service Canada centres can only collect biometrics if you are already physically inside Canada. 💼 If you are anywhere else in the world, you must use a VAC, an Application Support Center (ASC) if you are in the United States, or in some very remote locations, a specific Canadian embassy or consulate. The staff at these centres are trained to process anyone holding a valid BIL, regardless of the passport they hold, provided they are legally allowed to be in that third country (even on a simple tourist visa).
| Your Current Location | Where to Submit Biometrics | Can You Do It as a Tourist? |
|---|---|---|
| Inside Canada | Designated Service Canada Centre. | Yes, but you must book an appointment online. |
| Inside the USA | Application Support Center (ASC). | Yes, valid status in the US is accepted. |
| Any Other Foreign Country | VFS Global Visa Application Centre (VAC). | Yes, provided you have the BIL. |
Step-by-Step Process for Submitting Biometrics Abroad
Coordinating an international biometrics appointment requires a bit of logistical planning. Follow these steps carefully to ensure your fingerprints are accepted without delay.
Step 1: Wait for the Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL)
You cannot simply walk into a VAC and ask to give your fingerprints. 📧 When you submit your Canadian visa application and pay the required fees online, IRCC will process the payment and then generate a Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL) in your secure portal. You must download and print this specific letter.
Step 2: Locate the Nearest Authorized VAC
Visit the official IRCC website and use their “Find a Visa Application Centre” tool. Search for the country you are currently visiting. For example, if you are vacationing in Mexico, you can locate the VFS Global office in Mexico City. Ensure the centre officially states it collects biometrics on behalf of the Canadian government.
Step 3: Book Your Appointment Online
VACs absolutely do not accept walk-ins for biometrics. 📅 You must visit the specific VFS Global website for that country, create a quick account, and schedule a biometrics appointment. You will need your passport number and the IRCC Application Number found on your BIL to secure the time slot.
Step 4: Attend the Appointment with Your Documents
Arrive at the VAC at least 15 minutes early. You must bring a printed copy of your BIL and the exact original passport you used to apply for your Canadian visa. The staff will take a digital photograph of your face and scan all ten of your fingerprints. The entire physical process usually takes less than 15 minutes, and the data is instantly transmitted to Canada.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
You generally pay for your biometrics at the exact same time you submit your visa application online, meaning no money should change hands at the VAC.
- Standard Biometrics Fee: $85 CAD per individual applicant.
- Family Maximum Fee: If applying at the same time, a family will pay a maximum of $170 CAD for biometrics, regardless of how many children need fingerprinting.
- VAC Transmission/Service Fees: Because you already paid the $85 CAD to IRCC, the VAC should not charge you a basic collection fee. However, if you request extra services at the VAC (like printing documents or using their premium lounge), you will be charged local, out-of-pocket fees.
How Long Does the Process Take?
You must adhere to strict IRCC deadlines, otherwise, your visa application will be permanently cancelled. 🕐
- Deadline to Submit: Once IRCC issues the BIL, you strictly have 30 days to attend an appointment and give your biometrics.
- Extensions: If you are in a remote country with no VAC and cannot travel within 30 days, you must urgently submit an IRCC Webform to request an extension, proving that you cannot access a facility in time.
- Validity of Biometrics: Once submitted, your biometrics remain valid in the Canadian system for exactly 10 years. You do not need to give them again for subsequent visitor visas or study permits during that decade.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What if the VAC in my current country is fully booked?
If the local VAC has no available appointments before your 30-day deadline, you can legally cross a border and use a VAC in a neighbouring country, or you must submit a Webform to IRCC requesting an extension due to a lack of available appointments.
Do children need to give biometrics for Canada?
Only applicants who are between the ages of 14 and 79 years old are legally required to provide biometrics. Children under 14 and seniors aged 80 and over are exempt from this requirement and the $85 CAD fee.
Will the VAC keep my physical passport?
No. When you are only providing biometrics, the VAC staff will verify your identity using your passport and hand it right back to you. You only surrender your passport later if your visa is approved and needs a physical foil stamp.
Can I give biometrics at a Canadian embassy?
Generally, no. Canadian embassies and consulates do not handle routine biometric collection for the general public. You must use the privatized Visa Application Centres (VFS Global) unless you are in a very specific country where no VAC exists and IRCC instructs you otherwise.
What if I have a cut on my finger during the appointment?
If you have a temporary injury, bandage, or cut on your fingertips, the VAC may refuse to take your prints because the scanner will fail to capture the required minutiae. You should wait until the injury heals before attending your appointment.
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