As of 2013, Canadian visa applicants from certain countries will have to pay for their biometric data to be recorded.
Bookmark 
Print
10 December 2012
Biometric data to be collected from Canadian visa applicants
Immigration Minister Jason Kenney has confirmed that biometric data will be taken on Canadian visa applications from citizens of 29 countries and one territory.
The countries affected are mostly located in Asia, Africa and the Middle East; the determination of affected countries comes from those with high rejection rates in Canadian visa applications as well those with high refugee claims and removal rates.
Mr Kenney said the biometric data, which will include fingerprints and photos, will further add to the new Canadian immigration system he has been implementing over the past year.
"Biometrics will strengthen and modernise Canada's immigration system," said the minister. "Our doors are open to legitimate travellers and, through the use of biometric, we will also be able to protect the safety and security of Canadians."
The necessity of taking biometric data is likely to prove controversial as an extra CA$85 (£54) will be added to the application fee, although the change is only thought to affect one in five visa applicants and children, the elderly and diplomats will be exempt.
Mr Kenney confirmed the prints would be cross checked against RCMP records for previous refugee claims, deportations and criminal records before a visa is granted.
The countries affected are:
|
|
The Canadian Visa Bureau is an independent migration consultancy specialising in helping people make their application to the Canadian Embassy.
