As of Dec. 31, Canada has required those who apply for
temporary resident visas and work or study permits—excepting U.S. nationals—as
well as those who apply for permanent residence, to provide their fingerprints
and a digital photo with their applications to Immigration, Refugees and
Citizenship Canada or the Canada Border Services Agency. Biometric enrollment
became a requirement for applicants from EMEA on July 31 and for applicants
from Asia/Pacific and the Americas at the turn of the year. The CBSA said the
technology will prevent individuals from using stolen, borrowed or altered
visas or permits to enter Canada. On Monday, the CBSA announced that it had
implemented the first fingerprint scanning Primary Inspection Kiosks on Jan. 29
at Vancouver International Airport and now has implemented the kiosks at Halifax
Stanfield International, Quebec City Jean Lesage International and Billy Bishop
Toronto City Airport. According to a CBSA spokesperson, Ottawa International, Edmonton
International, Winnipeg Richardson International, Montreal-Trudeau
International, Toronto Pearson International and Calgary International will implement
the technology this year.
Updated at 11 a.m. Eastern on March 8 2019, to update the timing for implementation at Canada's major airports.
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