加拿大签证 Biometrics 是什么？ 录过指纹还需要再录吗？
申请加拿大签证、学签、工签或永久居民时， 很多申请人都会收到一封 Biometric Instruction Letter（BIL）， 要求提供 Biometrics（生物识别信息）。
Biometrics 主要包括申请人的 指纹和照片。 IRCC 利用这些信息确认申请人的身份， 并协助进行申请审理。
如果以前已经录过加拿大指纹， 并不代表以后所有申请都不需要再录。 是否需要重新提供 Biometrics， 取决于本次申请的类别以及现有 Biometrics 的有效期。
一、哪些申请通常需要 Biometrics？
除非符合豁免条件， 申请以下类别时通常需要提供 Biometrics：
- Visitor Visa（访问签证）
- Study Permit（学习许可）
- Work Permit（工作许可）
- 部分加拿大境内身份延期申请
- Permanent Residence（永久居民）
- Refugee 或 Asylum 申请
一般来说， 14 岁以下儿童和 80 岁以上申请人 不需要提供 Biometrics。 但难民申请人没有 80 岁的上限豁免。
二、以前录过指纹，还需要重新录吗？
这要看申请的是什么类别。
Permanent Residence：通常每次 PR 申请重新提供
临时居民申请：通常 10 年一次
如果申请 Visitor Visa、Study Permit 或 Work Permit， 以前已经向加拿大提供过 Biometrics， 通常可以在 10 年有效期内继续使用。
但这里有一个很容易被忽略的问题：
IRCC 一般不能签发有效期超过现有 Biometrics 有效期的签证或许可。
例如，一个人的 Biometrics 只剩两年有效期， 即使护照还有很多年， 新签证或许可的有效期也可能受到 Biometrics 到期日的影响。
如果希望获得更长有效期的签证或许可， 符合条件的申请人可以选择重新提供 Biometrics。
永久居民申请：规则不同
Permanent Residence 申请不能简单套用 “Biometrics 十年有效”的规则。
IRCC 目前的规定是， 大多数 PR 申请人在每次申请永久居民时， 都需要重新提供 Biometrics， 即使以前已经录过。
因此，临时居民申请和永久居民申请的 Biometrics 规则不要混淆。
三、收到 BIL 以后怎么办？
如果 IRCC 要求提供 Biometrics， 申请人会收到 Biometric Instruction Letter（BIL）。
通常需要：
- 按要求支付 Biometrics 费用；
- 收到 BIL 后预约官方 Biometrics Collection Site；
- 携带 BIL 及所需身份证件前往；
- 在规定期限内完成指纹和照片采集。
目前个人 Biometrics 费用为 CAD $85； 一家人同时申请， 符合条件的家庭成员最高合计 CAD $170。
一般情况下， 收到 BIL 后有 30 天 完成 Biometrics。
如果确实无法在期限内完成， 应及时通过 IRCC Web form 说明情况， 而不要简单错过期限。
四、一个容易忽略的问题
Biometrics 看起来只是申请过程中的一个简单步骤， 但它可能影响：
- 申请是否能够继续审理；
- 签证或许可最终可以签发多长时间；
- 是否需要重新录指纹；
- 申请人应该使用哪一封 BIL；
- 是否需要在规定期限内向 IRCC 说明无法完成 Biometrics 的原因。
尤其是以前已经申请过加拿大签证的人， 不要简单认为“我以前录过，所以这次一定不用录”。
最稳妥的方法，是根据 本次申请类别、以前 Biometrics 的日期， 以及 IRCC 发出的最新指示 进行确认。
Canada Biometrics: Do You Need to Give Your Fingerprints Again?
When applying for a Canadian visa, study permit, work permit, or permanent residence, you may be asked to provide biometrics.
Biometrics include your fingerprints and photograph. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses them to confirm your identity and help process your application.
If you have given Canadian biometrics before, this does not necessarily mean that you will never need to give them again. The answer depends on the type of application and the validity of your existing biometrics.
1. Who Usually Needs to Give Biometrics?
Unless an exemption applies, biometrics are generally required for applications such as:
- Visitor visas
- Study permits
- Work permits
- Certain applications to extend temporary status in Canada
- Permanent residence
- Refugee or asylum claims
In general, applicants under 14 or over 79 years of age are exempt. However, there is no upper age exemption for refugee claimants.
2. I Gave Biometrics Before. Do I Need to Give Them Again?
It depends on the type of application.
Permanent Residence: Usually required again for each PR application
Temporary Residence: Usually Valid for 10 Years
For visitor visa, study permit and work permit applications, previously provided biometrics are generally valid for 10 years.
If your biometrics are still valid, you normally do not need to provide them again.
IRCC generally cannot issue a visa or permit beyond the expiry date of your biometrics.
For example, if your biometrics are valid for only two more years, this may affect how long your new visa or permit can be issued.
If you want a longer-validity visa or permit, you may be able to provide new biometrics, where eligible.
Permanent Residence: Different Rules Apply
Permanent residence applications follow different rules.
Most applicants for permanent residence must provide biometrics for each PR application, even if they previously provided biometrics for a temporary resident application or an earlier PR application.
Therefore, the 10-year rule for temporary residence should not automatically be applied to permanent residence applications.
3. What Happens After You Receive a Biometrics Instruction Letter?
If biometrics are required, IRCC will issue a Biometrics Instruction Letter (BIL).
You will normally need to:
- Pay the biometrics fee, if required;
- Receive your BIL from IRCC;
- Make an appointment at an authorized biometrics collection location;
- Bring your BIL and required identification; and
- Have your fingerprints and photograph taken within the deadline.
The current biometrics fee is generally CAD $85 per individual, with a maximum of CAD $170 for an eligible family applying together.
Applicants are generally given 30 days from the date of the BIL to provide their biometrics.
If you are unable to complete biometrics within the deadline, you should explain the situation to IRCC promptly rather than simply missing the deadline.
4. A Small Step That Can Affect Your Application
Biometrics may appear to be a routine part of the immigration process, but they can affect:
- whether your application can continue to be processed;
- how long your visa or permit may be issued for;
- whether you need to give fingerprints again;
- which Biometrics Instruction Letter should be used; and
- whether you need to explain a missed biometrics deadline to IRCC.
If you provided biometrics in the past, do not automatically assume that you will not need to provide them again.
The answer depends on what you are applying for, when your previous biometrics were taken, and the instructions issued by IRCC for your current application.