Biometrics collection and verification

How biometric collection works

Biometric collection refers to the capture of fingerprint scans and facial images.

CBSA border services officers will take your fingerprints and photo at certain ports of entry if:

• you are eligible to apply for a work or study permit, a temporary resident permit or if you make an application for refugee status
• you start and finish your application at the port of entry

Find out:

• who needs to give their fingerprints and photo
• who is exempt

Only certain Canadian ports of entry offer biometrics collection services. To find a site:

1. go to where to give your biometric information
2. select "at a border crossing when you want to enter Canada"
3. use the filter to find out if your preferred site offers this service

Note: There is an application fee for biometrics enrolment.

How biometric verification works

At the application stage, the fingerprints collected will be stored by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and checked against immigration and criminal fingerprint records.

Upon arrival to Canada's border, the verification process will depend on your point of entry into Canada.

At major Canadian airports, travellers will undergo identity verification at a Primary Inspection Kiosk by having their fingerprints verified against those collected at the application stage to ensure that the person seeking entry is the same person who was granted a visa or a permit to travel to Canada.

At land ports of entry, border services officers will verify fingerprints when travellers are referred to immigration secondary for inspection.

Why we collect and verify biometrics

Biometrics help us confirm the identity of individuals seeking to enter Canada.

They allow the CBSA to:

• process your visa or permit application
• identify known criminals before they attempt to enter Canada
• detect those who forge, steal or use another person's identity to enter Canada

Taking your photo at a primary inspection kiosk

Travellers entering Canada at one of the 10 major international airports need to confirm their identity by scanning their passport and taking their photo at a Primary Inspection Kiosk.

The kiosk takes a live photo and compares it to the photo in your passport chip, which is used to make sure the person using the kiosk is the rightful holder of the passport.

More information: How the CBSA collects, uses and protects your information

Contact us

Contact the Canada Border Services Agency