Key facts
- What
- Fingerprints and a digital photo
- Who
- Most applicants aged 14 to 79
- Trigger
- Biometric Instruction Letter after paying the fee
- Window
- Generally 30 days from the letter
- Where
- Visa application centre abroad or Service Canada in Canada
- Official authority
- IRCC
Last verified against official sources: 2026-09-21
Step by step
Pay the biometrics fee
Pay it with your application fees so the instruction letter is issued without delay.
Wait for the letter
The Biometric Instruction Letter arrives in your IRCC account.
Book an appointment
Book at a visa application centre or a Service Canada location that collects biometrics. Bring the letter and your passport.
Check whether you need to give them again
If you have given biometrics before, IRCC's online tool tells you whether you need to give them again for this application.
Common mistakes
- Not paying the biometrics fee with the application.
- Missing the 30-day window without asking IRCC for more time.
Frequently asked questions
Do children need to give biometrics?
Children under 14 generally do not, and neither do people aged 80 or older for most applications.
Can I give biometrics in Canada?
Yes, at designated Service Canada locations, usually by appointment.
What to do next
- Pay the biometrics fee with your application.
- Book an appointment as soon as the letter arrives.
Your next steps
Continue in the order most people find useful, rather than a list of unrelated pages.