Visa Application Centres and biometric deployment

06/25/2013

Visa Application Centres

Since first announcing the expansion of our visa application centres (VACs) network in January 2012, we made a great deal of progress. CIC now has 70 VACs in 49 countries. By March 2014, the network will expand to over 130 VACs in 95 countries.

The expansion of the global VAC network supports CIC’s commitment to improve service to applicants and processing efficiency in light of growing application volumes.  Applicants benefit from in-person access that is not available at most visa offices. VACs verify that applications are complete, which help applicants avoid unnecessary delays or refusals due to incomplete applications. In addition, VACs are key to supporting the implementation of biometrics by offering greater access through more points of service.

Biometric deployment

The deployment of biometric collection equipment to visa offices and VACs around the world got under way in May 2013 and will continue over a 10-month period ending in March 2014.

Once biometric collection services are established in a VAC, applicants will have the option to provide their biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) on a voluntary basis before it becomes mandatory for their country. Voluntary enrolment is now available at VACs in Kingston, Montego Bay and Bogotá. Starting this fall, citizens from certain countries who want to come to Canada will be required to provide their biometric data when they apply for a visitor visa or study permit or work permit.

Biometric screening is an effective way to establish and manage the identity of individuals wanting to come to Canada.  It will provide immigration officials with greater certainty in identifying travellers and it will facilitate legitimate travel to Canada.

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