Vincentians required to provide biometrics data for Canadian Visas from 2019

Effective January 2019, nationals of St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) applying for a visitor’s visa, a study or work permit, a temporary resident permit or persons applying for permanent residency, claiming refugee or asylum status, will be required to provide individual biometrics data (fingerprints and photo) to the Government of Canada.

Biometrics is a collection of individual data via fingerprinting and photo identification for easy confirmation of person or travellers identities. Biometrics is a global tool used in immigration programmes around the world due to its high reliability and accuracy status.

Who will need to provide this Data?

(1) Persons between the ages of 14 and 79 years, including persons who apply for entry into Canada will need to provide their biometrics data at the nearest Visa Application Centre. Applicants MUST go in person to one of the four (4) centres located within the Caribbean. These centres are:

(a) Guyana Visa Application Centre
Website:http://www.csc-cvac.com/enGY/selfservice/cvac_application_centres
E-mail: gy-info@csc-cvac.com

(b) Jamaica Visa Application Centre – Kingston
(e-mail: Kingstown-info@csc-cvac.com)

(c) Jamaica Visa Application Centre – Montego Bay
Website: http://www.csc-cvac.com/en-JM/selfservice/cvac_application_centres
E-mail: montegobay-info@csc-cvac.com

(d) Trinidad and Tobago Visa Application Centre
Website: http://www.csc-cvac.com/en-TT/selfservice/cvac_application_centres
E-mail: tt-info@csc-cvac.com

(2) Persons applying for a visitor’s visa, a study permit, or a work permit only need to give their biometrics every 10 years. You do not need to give your biometrics until the 10-year period expires.

The following persons are exempted from providing such data:

l Canadian citizens, citizenship applicants (including passport applicants), or existing permanent residents;

l Visa-exempt nationals coming to Canada as tourists who hold a valid Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA);

l Children under the age of 14 ;

l Applicants over the age of 79 (there is no upper age exemption for asylum claimants);

l Heads of State and Heads of Government;

l Cabinet Ministers and accredited diplomats of other countries and the United Nations, coming to Canada on official business;

l U.S. visa holders transiting through Canada;

l Refugee claimants or protected persons who have already provided biometrics and are applying for a study or work permit;

l Temporary resident applicants who have already provided biometrics in support of a permanent resident application that is still in progress.

Is there a cost attached to this application? Yes

l For Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program in 2019: The application fee is EC$155 CAD

l Biometrics fee: $85CAD (this fee will be paid every 10 years)

l Individual applicants: $85CAD

For more information visit the Canadian website at: www.canada.ca/biometrics.