The maple leaf country is returning to pre-pandemic immigration rules and regulations. As the country has announced that all Canada Permanent residency applicants to give biometrics from June 14. The following update is mandatory for all applicants who wish to permanently settle in Canada. And is now in effect from June 14, 2023.
During covid-19 and the phase of stepping out of it, Canada was following the policy in the Global Case Management System (GCMS). As per the update, PR Visa applicants did not have to give biometrics if they provided the same with their temporary visa application. But that too within 10 years.
What is GCMS?
The GCMS system manages and assesses all Canada visa applications for IRCC. Thus, as an applicant, you can request IRCC to give you personalised information about your visa file. However, this is possible when your visa application passes the R10 completeness check. Please note, only a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in Canada can apply to use the GCMS. Also, as an applicant from outside Canada, you can seek the assistance of someone living in Canada for the same.
June 14, 2023 – All Canada permanent residency applicants are to give biometrics. Now this update comes due to a relaxation in the restrictions imposed during the pandemic. Past rules were applicable due to the closing of Visa Application Centres (VACs) to safeguard public interests.
Also, back then IRCC came to know that most PR visa aspirants already had submitted biometrics when applying for a temporary visa. So, it was easier for them to forego the biometrics condition. But the same condition is no longer applicable now. Thus, Canada is returning to its pre-pandemic visa processing protocols and timelines. And it is now mandatory for all PR visa applicants to submit their biometrics.
And why not? As the issues that were created due to the pandemic and strict immigration rules are now solved.
Moreover, the new policy update does not apply to applicants who match the following conditions:
If you wish to live, work, and or study in Canada then you must submit biometrics. This refers to submitting fingerprint data and a passport-size photograph. The goal is to identify the person entering Canada. And to ensure they do not pose any threat to the Canadian public. This is mandatory for all Canada visa applications.
However, there are 60 nations whose residents do not need to give biometrics. As they can travel visa-free to Canada. But they will have to get Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) [except US citizens].
If you meet the following conditions, then you need not give biometrics:
As Canada Permanent residency applicants to give biometrics from June 14, 2023, one should be aware of such updates. Just imagine not knowing an important Canada immigration policy update that can result in visa rejection. Understanding the legal aspects and staying updated with complex immigration pathways, procedures, and updates can be tough.
This is why even IRCC suggests taking the expert advice of a CICC Licensed Canada Immigration Consultant. So, what are you waiting for? Apply With GVI!
In short, take our Free Assessment. Contact Us to know more.
Mr. Kalyan Paul, President & CEO is the founder of GVI, an MBA in Finance and also a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) from Canada. Mr. Paul has more than 18 years of experience in immigration consulting that made him one of the preferred & valued immigration consultants in the immigration industry. He is a licensed member of the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) [Previously known as Immigration Consultants Of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC)] (Membership ID: R417119) which is a professional body of licensed immigration consultants recognized by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
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