Do I need to provide biometrics for my Express Entry application?

Most Express Entry applicants are required to provide biometrics — fingerprints and a digital photograph — as part of the permanent residence application process. Once you receive an ITA and submit your application, IRCC will send you a biometrics instruction letter indicating where and how to give your biometrics. You must comply within the deadline in the letter or your application will be placed on hold.

Biometrics can be given at designated Service Canada centres, Canadian Visa Application Centres (VACs) abroad, or other authorized collection points. If you are outside Canada when applying, you will likely need to visit a VAC in your country or region. In Canada, Service Canada offices process biometrics appointments.

One important point: once you provide biometrics for a Canadian immigration or visitor application, the same biometrics on file may be valid for a set number of years for future applications — you do not necessarily need to re-enroll for every application. However, if your biometrics on file have expired, you will need to provide them again. IRCC's biometrics instruction letter will tell you clearly whether you need to attend in person or if existing biometrics are still valid for your current application.