Canada Exempts Certain Age Groups from Visa Biometrics

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released guidance indicating that certain age groups are exempt from submitting biometrics as part of the visa or permit application process. Specifically, children under the age of 14 and applicants over 79 years old are not required to provide biometrics, which include fingerprints and photographs.

However, this upper age exemption does not apply to asylum claimants, who must still provide biometrics regardless of age. Additionally, other exemptions include Canadian citizens, citizenship applicants, existing permanent residents (with a specific exception for those renewing or replacing their PR card), nationals from visa-exempt countries visiting Canada as tourists, heads of state or government, and holders of diplomatic or official visas.

Furthermore, applicants for a visitor visa, study permit, or work permit who have already submitted biometrics for an active permanent residence application are also exempt from resubmitting them.