As of June 14th, 2023, Canadian permanent residents (PR) are required to submit biometrics, regardless of whether they had previously submitted them when applying for a temporary residency permit. This new update by the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) body signifies a return to the pre-pandemic procedures for all permanent resident applications.
The IRCC intends to resume the pre-pandemic procedures for all permanent resident applicants. The body enacted a policy in the Global Case Management System (GCMS) that exempted permanent resident applicants from resubmitting their biometrics if they met certain conditions. The applicant had provided their biometrics alongside their permanent resident application within the past 10 years.
Resuming Pre-Pandemic Procedures: Biometrics Requirement for All Permanent Resident Applicants
In September 2020, the IRCC allowed new permanent resident applicants to apply if they had already submitted their biometrics during their temporary resident application. However, this temporary policy only applies if the temporary resident application was within the past decade. This measure was introduced in response to the temporary closure of many Visa Application Centres (VACs) during the pandemic period.
At the time, the IRCC recognized that many permanent resident applicants already registered their biometrics when applying for temporary residency in Canada. The pandemic rush and inconvenience made it almost impossible for new applicants to move forward as they would be required to resubmit their biometric data.
However, as the pandemic restrictions continue to ease, IRCC has started moving toward resuming its pre-pandemic service standards. The body expects all permanent resident applicants to resubmit their biometrics. Fortunately, the backlog of applications experienced in 2020 has been significantly reduced, and the department can now work more efficiently at full capacity. Applicants can now have their applications processed quickly, provided all information and documentation is in order.
