How to Book and Prepare for a Canadian Biometrics Appointment

Where Canadian biometrics appointments happen and how to book

In Canada, biometrics appointments are handled by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), not by a separate office. You do not book a biometrics appointment the way you would in the United States. Instead, IRCC tells you when and where to go as part of your application process.

When IRCC needs your fingerprints and photo, they send you a letter or email with a specific date, time, and location. The letter is called a Biometric Instruction Letter. It will tell you which Service Canada office or IRCC office to visit. You cannot choose the date or location — IRCC assigns it based on where you live and their appointment availability.

If you have not received a Biometric Instruction Letter but believe you should have, contact IRCC directly through their web form at Canada.ca/ircc-contacts or call 1-888-242-2342. Do not assume the letter is coming; follow up if your application has been pending for several weeks without instructions.

Key Takeaways

• IRCC sends you a Biometric Instruction Letter with your assigned date, time, and location — you do not book the appointment yourself.
• Biometrics appointments take place at Service Canada offices or IRCC offices, and you must attend on the date given or contact IRCC to reschedule.
• Bring your letter of instruction, a valid passport or travel document, and a second piece of ID such as a driver's license or provincial ID card.
• The appointment itself takes 10 to 15 minutes and involves having your fingerprints scanned digitally and a photo taken.
• If you miss your appointment without contacting IRCC, your application may be delayed or rejected, so notify them immediately if you cannot attend.

What documents to bring to your appointment

Bring the Biometric Instruction Letter itself — this is your proof of appointment and contains information IRCC needs to match you to your application. Do not lose it or leave it at home.

You must also bring a valid passport or travel document. This is your primary ID and the one IRCC will use to verify your identity. If your passport has expired, you may still use it for this purpose, but bring it anyway. If you do not have a passport, bring a valid travel document issued by your country of origin.

Bring a second piece of identification as well. This can be a driver's license, provincial or territorial ID card, permanent resident card, or a national ID card from your home country. The second ID does not need to be a travel document — it just needs to be current and show your photo and name.

Do not bring originals of other documents such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or police clearances unless the Biometric Instruction Letter specifically asks for them. Most letters do not require anything beyond ID.

What happens during the appointment

When you arrive, staff will check your letter and verify your identity using your passport and second ID. They will confirm your name, date of birth, and application number. This step usually takes a few minutes.

Next, a technician will take your digital fingerprints. You will place each finger on a scanner one at a time. The scanner captures your fingerprints electronically — this is not ink-based like older methods. The process takes about five minutes and is painless.

After fingerprints, staff will take a digital photograph. You will sit in front of a camera, and they will take a front-facing photo. Wear neutral clothing without patterns, and avoid hats or sunglasses unless you have a medical or religious reason. The photo should show your face clearly.

The entire appointment usually takes 10 to 15 minutes. You will receive a receipt or confirmation that your biometrics have been collected. Keep this receipt in case you need to prove you attended.

If you cannot attend on the assigned date

Contact IRCC as soon as you know you cannot attend. Do not simply skip the appointment. Call 1-888-242-2342 or use the web form at Canada.ca/ircc-contacts to request a new date. Have your Biometric Instruction Letter and application number ready when you contact them.

IRCC may be able to reschedule you, but availability depends on the office and the time of year. If you miss your appointment without contacting IRCC beforehand, your application may be delayed significantly or even rejected. Some applications have been closed because the applicant did not attend biometrics.

If you have a legitimate reason for missing the appointment — illness, emergency, transportation failure — explain this when you contact IRCC. They are usually willing to reschedule if you reach out promptly, but waiting weeks to contact them makes it harder to recover.

Biometrics requirements for different application types

Not every Canadian immigration application requires biometrics. Permanent residence applications almost always require them. Work permit and study permit applications require biometrics if you are applying from outside Canada or if you are in Canada and IRCC requests them.

Visitor visa applications require biometrics in most cases, though some applicants from certain countries may be exempt. Sponsorship applications for family members may require biometrics for the sponsor, the applicant, or both, depending on the program.

Your application letter will state clearly whether biometrics are required. If you are unsure, check the letter that came with your application or contact IRCC. Do not assume biometrics are not needed just because you have not heard about them yet — IRCC may request them later in the process.

What to expect after your biometrics appointment

After you complete your biometrics appointment, IRCC will process your fingerprints and photo. This usually takes a few days to a few weeks, depending on how busy the office is. You do not need to do anything while you wait.

IRCC will use your biometrics to conduct background checks and security screening. If everything clears, your application will move forward. You will receive updates on your application status through your IRCC account (if you have one) or by email.

If IRCC finds an issue with your biometrics — for example, if the fingerprints were not clear enough — they will contact you and ask you to return for another appointment. This is rare but can happen. If this occurs, follow the same process: attend the new appointment on the date IRCC provides.

Common reasons biometrics appointments are delayed or cancelled

IRCC sometimes delays biometrics appointments due to high application volume or staffing shortages at local offices. If your appointment is delayed, you will receive a new letter with a new date. There is nothing you can do to speed this up, but you can check your application status online through your IRCC account.

Appointments may also be cancelled if IRCC determines that biometrics are no longer needed for your application — for example, if your application is rejected before the appointment date. In this case, IRCC will notify you separately about the status of your application.

In rare cases, IRCC may cancel an appointment if you have provided false information or if there is a security concern. If your appointment is cancelled for this reason, IRCC will explain why in their letter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reschedule my biometrics appointment online?

No, you cannot reschedule online. You must contact IRCC by phone at 1-888-242-2342 or through their web form at Canada.ca/ircc-contacts. Have your Biometric Instruction Letter and application number ready. Rescheduling by phone is faster than using the web form.

What if I lost my Biometric Instruction Letter?

Contact IRCC and request a replacement letter. You can call 1-888-242-2342 or use the web form. Provide your application number and full name. IRCC can resend the letter by email or mail. Do not go to the office without the letter, as staff will not know which application you are there for.

Do I need to bring my children to their biometrics appointments?

Yes, each family member who is part of the application and has been instructed to provide biometrics must attend their own appointment. Children attend with a parent or guardian. IRCC will send separate Biometric Instruction Letters for each person who needs to attend.

What if my passport is expired — can I still use it for biometrics?

Yes, an expired passport is still acceptable as your primary ID for a biometrics appointment. Bring it along with your second piece of ID. IRCC accepts expired passports because they are still valid proof of identity; they just cannot be used for travel.

How long does it take to get my biometrics results?

IRCC does not send you a separate "results" letter. After your appointment, your biometrics are processed internally as part of your application. You will see updates in your IRCC account or receive emails about your application status. There is no separate notification for biometrics completion.