Last Updated on September 23, 2020, 5:28 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Canada does not require permanent residence applicants to provide their biometric information as long as they have submitted their biometrics in any other application within the last ten years.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has previously taken special measures because of the coronavirus pandemic like allowing delays for biometric submissions if the applicants are unable to submit them.
However, it is unknown as to when many of the biometric collection service points in Canada, as well as abroad, would continue their operations as usual.
These closures of Visa Application Centres and service points have affected thousands of permanent residence applicants.
Many of these applicants had submitted their biometrics previously in another application.
IRCC said in an additional statement that Canada has an increasing number of applications for permanent residence which cannot be processed due to the biometrics requirement.
IRCC aims to alleviate further disruptions as such on such individuals by waiving the biometrics requirement in certain cases.
Eligible applicants who would be exempt from biometrics collection requirements irrespective of whether they are currently overseas or in Canada are those with both of the following:
- previously submitted their biometrics within ten years before the day on which they submitted their current permanent residence application.
- A pending or a new application for permanent residence.
Canada had exempted other foreign nationals from providing biometrics already because of its recognition that COVID-19 disruptions may prevent them from doing so.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
