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Do I need to give biometrics (fingerprints and photo), or give them again?

Most people applying for a visa, a permit or permanent residence give them, but there are exemptions by age, nationality and application. For visas and permits, biometrics usually last 10 years. A few questions find IRCC's rule for you.

Answer for your situation

Every quote below was checked word for word on IRCC’s own pages on October 25, 2026. Each answer names its source page and that page’s date.

What IRCC says, situation by situation

No

Not for a visit only, as a visa-exempt national

In IRCC’s words:
“a visa-exempt national coming to Canada to visit only”
Source: IRCC, page dated July 9, 2026
No

Not to extend your visit, if you're from a visa-exempt country

In IRCC’s words:
“If you’re visiting from visa-exempt country, you’re exempt from giving biometrics when you apply to extend your stay.”
Source: IRCC, page dated July 9, 2026
No

Not for a child under 14

In IRCC’s words:
“a child under the age of 14”
“We use the age you were when you submitted your application. If your child was 13 or under when you submitted the application, the child doesn’t need to give biometrics.”
Source: IRCC, page dated July 9, 2026
No

Not if you are over 79 (except for an asylum claim)

In IRCC’s words:
“an applicant over the age of 79”
“If you were 79 or younger on the date you submitted your application, and you are now 80, you must give your biometrics .”
“There is no upper age exemption for asylum claimants.”
Source: IRCC, page dated July 9, 2026
No

Not as a US national applying for temporary residence

In IRCC’s words:
“Unless you’re exempt, you need to give your fingerprints and a photo when you apply for any of the following: ... temporary residence (except US nationals)”
Source: IRCC, page dated March 30, 2026
No

Not if you gave them for a permanent residence application still in process

In IRCC’s words:
“an applicant applying for a visitor visa, a study permit or a work permit who has already provided biometrics for a permanent resident application that’s still being processed”
Source: IRCC, page dated July 9, 2026
Yes

Yes, when you apply

In IRCC’s words:
“You must give your biometrics when you apply for your visitor visa, study or work permit, unless you’re exempt .”
“Pay the biometrics fee when you apply, unless you’re exempt .”
“Wait for your biometric instruction letter (BIL). You must use the BIL that was issued for this application .”
Source: IRCC, page dated March 30, 2026
Yes

Yes: biometrics last 10 years

In IRCC’s words:
“Temporary residence applicants need to give their biometrics only once every 10 years. However, we can’t issue a visa or permit for more than 10 years from the date you gave your biometrics.”
Source: IRCC, page dated March 30, 2026
Yes, if you're not exempt.

IRCC answers this directly: see its answer about biometrics given to the US

IRCC's biometrics pages describe biometrics given to Canada for a Canadian application. Whether biometrics given to another country count is answered in IRCC's Help Centre (linked).

In IRCC’s words:
“You must give your biometrics when you apply for your visitor visa, study or work permit, unless you’re exempt .”

IRCC Help Centre: biometrics already given when entering the US

Source: IRCC, page dated March 30, 2026
No

Not again: your biometrics are attached to your new application

In IRCC’s words:
“they’ll be automatically attached to your new visitor visa, work or study permit, or extension”
“Your biometrics are valid for 10 years. If you gave your biometrics within the last 10 years”
“you don’t need to give them every time you apply for temporary residence”

IRCC: check the status of your biometrics (when they expire)

Source: IRCC, page dated March 30, 2026
Yes, if you want your visa or permit to last longer.

Only if you choose to: giving them again lets your visa or permit last longer

IRCC can't issue a visa or permit past the date your biometrics expire. If they expire soon, you may give them again when you apply, with the fee.

In IRCC’s words:
“However, we can’t issue your visa or permit beyond the expiry date of your biometrics . If you want a visa or permit for a longer period of time, you can extend the validity of your biometrics by giving them again when you apply, even if they’re still valid.”
“Even if your biometrics are still valid, you can choose to give them again so your visa or permit is valid for a longer period of time.”
“Pay the biometrics fee when you apply, unless you’re exempt .”
“Wait for your biometric instruction letter (BIL). You must use the BIL that was issued for this application .”

IRCC: check the status of your biometrics (when they expire)

Source: IRCC, page dated March 30, 2026
No, unless you apply for a new visa or permit.

Not for the visa or permit already issued: a longer one needs a new application

In IRCC’s words:
“Once your visa or permit has been issued, you can’t give your biometrics again to extend the validity of your document.”
“If you want to have a visa or permit with a longer validity, you must”
“apply for a new visa or apply to extend your stay as a visitor , worker or student”
“pay the associated fees (including the biometrics fee)”
“give your biometrics again”

IRCC Help Centre: my visa or permit is shorter because of my biometric validity

Source: IRCC, page dated March 30, 2026
No, unless you reapply.

Only if you reapply, with a new instruction letter

In IRCC’s words:
“If your application has been refused, don’t try to give your biometrics .”
“Give your biometrics only if you”
“reapply”
“pay the associated fees, including the biometrics fee”
“receive a new BIL”
“If you use your old BIL, there may be delays in your application processing, or your application may be refused.”
Source: IRCC, page dated March 30, 2026
Yes

Yes, every time you apply for permanent residence

In IRCC’s words:
“You must give your biometrics every time you apply for permanent residence, even if you’ve already given them.”
“If your permanent resident application is refused, you can’t use your biometrics for any future applications.”
Source: IRCC, page dated March 30, 2026
Yes

Yes, now that you are 14 or older

In IRCC’s words:
“a new PR card, for applicants who were previously exempt because of their age (i.e. they were 13 years of age or younger when they applied for PR)”
Source: IRCC, page dated July 9, 2026
No

Not for a PR card

In IRCC’s words:
“You don’t need to give your biometrics when you apply for a permanent resident card unless the example below describes your situation.”
Source: IRCC, page dated March 30, 2026
No

Not for a permanent resident travel document

In IRCC’s words:
“You don’t need to give your biometrics when you apply for a permanent resident travel document.”
Source: IRCC, page dated March 30, 2026
Yes

Yes, and there is no upper age limit for asylum claimants

In IRCC’s words:
“Unless you’re exempt , you need to give biometrics when you apply for ... refugee or asylum status”
“There is no upper age exemption for asylum claimants.”
Source: IRCC, page dated July 9, 2026
No

Not for citizenship or a passport

In IRCC’s words:
“a Canadian citizen or citizenship applicant (including passport applicants)”
Source: IRCC, page dated July 9, 2026
Yes: giving them is a step in the assessment, not an approval.

Giving biometrics is a step in the assessment, not a decision: IRCC uses them to confirm your identity and help assess your application

In IRCC’s words:
“Biometrics are your fingerprints and photo. We collect your biometrics so we can confirm your identity. This information is also used to help assess your application.”

IRCC Help Centre: does being asked for biometrics mean my application is approved?

Source: IRCC, page dated March 30, 2026

What would change the answer

What you might not have asked yet

Sources

Answer for your situation

Other answers

Written by AHI Life from IRCC’s own pages; the quotes are IRCC’s words, re-read on their pages every day. General information, not legal advice, and not yet reviewed by a licensed consultant (RCIC). Only a licensed representative may charge you for immigration advice.