Canada moves forward on biometrics for Canadian visa holders

Citizenship and Immigration Canada has been moving towards rolling out a biometric plan for Canadian visa holders to begin in 2011, a system that is expected to be fully in place by 2013. Citizenship and Immigration Canada says biometrics on Canadian visas will significantly contribute to Canada’s efforts to reduce identity fraud and ensure the safety and security of Canadians.

When the project is fully implemented, people applying for a Canadian Temporary Resident Visa, Canadian Study Permit or Canadian Work Permit will be required to provide Canadian immigration with their digital fingerprints and have their photo taken in person before they arrive in Canada.

Recently a number of Canadian universities at the Canadian Bureau for International Education annual conference discussed the move to biometrics, which is seen by many as a measure that will introduce delays to the Canadian Study Permit application process.