Getting a Canada visa is a dream of many people, followed by a number of important steps that are needed to ensure a smooth application process. However, a common question that often arises is, “What is the next step after biometrics for Canada visa?”
Once you’ve completed the biometrics part of your application, it signals the transition to a more in-depth phase. Your application undergoes a thorough assessment by immigration officials after biometrics, where they review every document and detail submitted. This stage is crucial as it leads to the final decision on your visa.
It’s a process filled with expectation, as you await notification of the outcome, typically through email or the online application system. Join us as we dig deeper into this critical stage, providing insights and guidance on what to expect and how to deal with it in the rest of our article.
A Quick Overview of the Visa Processing System of Canada
The Canadian visa processing system is a structured and detailed procedure designed to assess applicants thoroughly. It begins with the submission of an application and supporting documents, followed by biometrics collection. Each step is critical, ensuring that applicants meet Canada’s immigration requirements.
After biometrics, the application undergoes a comprehensive review by immigration officials. This phase includes document verification and a decision on the visa. Applicants are usually informed of the outcome through email or the online system, marking the end of the process.
What is the Next Step After Biometrics for Canada Visa?
The Canada visa process consists of multiple steps, each of which is important in its own right. Biometrics is one of the most vital components of the Canadian Visa processing system. After completing biometrics, a new chapter begins. This phase is crucial for the progression and outcome of your visa application.
By submitting your photograph and fingerprint as biometrics for Canada Visa, you have allowed the immigration officers to identify you as an individual. The immediate thing they will do is match your data or more specifically the fingerprint to the existing database.
The database contains data of –
- People with a history of criminal activities
- People who claim to be refugee
- Deportees from different states
- Temporary resident applicants.
All this information exists in The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) records. The visa officer comes with the responsibility of checking if your fingerprint matches any of the existing data.
Depending on the result, the visa officer will decide whether to approve or refuse your visa application.
Possible Next Steps:
- Application assessment
- Document verification
- Background check
- Medical examination
- Proof of funds
- Passport request
- Visa decision.
Application Assessment
The first action post-biometrics is the assessment of your application by immigration officials. They meticulously review each aspect of your application to ensure compliance with Canada’s immigration criteria. This thorough review includes checking the authenticity of the documents and the accuracy of the information provided.
Going through your application will let the authorities have a clear idea regarding your purpose for applying, travel, language proficiency, educational experience, and so on.
Now, let’s go through the key points that help the authorities work on assessing your application.
- Purpose of application
- Language proficiency
- Educational and work background
- Travel history
Purpose of Application:
The visa category you have selected must match the application purpose, and it’s a key part of the assessment. Tourism, family visits, business purposes, studies, and employment can be the purposes of your application.
Language Proficiency:
Without having language proficiency, it turns out so tough for any immigrant to connect to Canadian society. Whether you are applying for study purposes or employment purposes, there is no alternative to having a good command of the English language.
Along with English, proficiency in the French language strengthens your application.
- IELTS and PTE are the two effective ways to test your language abilities in English.
- TEF and TCF are two effective ways to test your language abilities in French.
In two cases, having better proficiency in language turns out to be very essential.
- The applied visa is for study purpose.
- The applied visa is for employment purposes.
To cope with your studies, there is no alternative to having a better proficiency in the English language. Moreover, it helps you deal with people in Canadian society more conveniently.
Educational and Work Background:
The next major thing that will impact your visa process is having a remarkable educational or working background.
For certain Canadian visas, you need to have a better educational background. For instance, you’ve applied to a renowned Canadian University. Now, what they will demand is outstanding results from your previous educational background.
Moreover, some institutions might prefer applicants from renowned Universities. Also, applicants who are searching for better employment might need to have a better track record in their previous workplaces, depending on the company policy.
Travel History:
It seems a more considerable aspect when the visa officers are more concerned with security. Applicants with a clean travel history always remain on the list of preferred ones.
They would love to approve your visa if you don’t have any previous records of visa refusal from other countries or any occurrence done during a foreign tour. It suggests that there were some issues with your visa application previously as well.
Document Verification
Verification of your submitted documents is essential to confirm your identity and authenticity. Always submit original and complete documents to make the entire verification procedure seamless.
There are a few vital types of documents the visa officer will go through to verify your identity.
- Your application
- Educational certificates
- Financial proofs
- Purpose of travel
- Working experience
- Medical papers
- Police clearance papers and so on.
Only after they find everything you submitted is genuine, they will allow you to proceed to the next step. The ultimate goal of this verification is to ensure citizenship, student visa, or tourist visa to a person who has a clean background and is not involved with any criminal activities.
Background Check of the Applicant
The goal of conducting a background check on an applicant is to examine whether there is any potential risk if they issue a visa to that particular person. To stay away from any potential risk, the authority will cross-check the provided information.
Three main steps that are included in the background check are –
- Criminal record check for security purposes
- Medical checks to examine any health issues
- Financial proof
A person with a clean background always stays ahead of others in the race to get a visa. Having a clean background also means there are no possible threats or risk issues with the applicant.
Meanwhile, always try to provide complete info that allows the visa officers to check your background more conveniently. Incomplete submission of information means they might contact you again, which ultimately makes the entire process lengthy.
Medical Examinations
Under the supervision of panel physicians approved by IRCC, an applicant must undergo a medical examination. You’ll only get a green signal here when the physicians find your health condition is no threat to the citizens of Canada.
Meanwhile, if you can’t find the schedule of a specific physician, IRCC-approved alternative panel physicians are available there.
However, the main question here is whether all applicants need to undergo a medical examination. The answer is no because the basic condition for a medical exam is you’re traveling to Canada to stay there for 6 months or more.
Medical exams don’t usually apply to visitors, but students and workers must undergo this process before traveling to Canada. However, there are exceptional cases for the visitors as well.
Meanwhile, here are three scenarios when an applicant must undergo a medical examination.
- If your job is related to public health
- Lived/ traveled in 284 countries/ territories for 6 months or more before traveling to Canada
- If you applied for a Super-Visa for your parents or grandparents.
In the first scenario, you need to go through the medical tests if your employment or service in Canada impacts public health.
A few examples of such jobs are –
- Workers in healthcare settings
- Patient attendants in nursing and geriatric homes
- Medical students admitted to Canada to attend the University
- Workers in primary or secondary school settings, workers in child-care settings, and so on.
If you’re a citizen of the listed 284 countries and territories by the Canadian Govt, a medical exam applies to you as well. Some of these listed countries/ territories are –
- Afghanistan
- Algeria
- Angola
- Bangladesh
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Greenland (a country within the Kingdom of Denmark) and so on.
In the other scenario, if you have a child or grandchild, who is a citizen of Canada, you are eligible to apply for a Supervisa.
Having a Supervisa means the parents and grandparents can visit their child or grandchild for 5 years at a time. It also allows several visits to Canada for up to 10 years.
An applicant can go through two types of medical exams in terms of the application submission.
- Before submitting the application known as the upfront medical exam. It applies to visitors, students, and workers.
- You can undergo a medical exam after applying. The authorities will let you know when and how to do the proceedings.
Meanwhile, two more exam types are available there –
- Standard medical exam
- Streamlined medical exam
However, you’re not the one who’ll decide the type, rather the authorities have the power to decide which exam you need.
Proof of Funds
Can you support yourself during your stay in Canada? The authorities need a positive answer to this question and they will get it from the proof of your funds.
You need to submit a few proofs of funds to the Canadian Govt in order to let them know you can maintain your expenses during your visit to Canada.
Whether you’re traveling to Canada as a student, a worker, or a visitor, showing financial proof is mandatory.
You’ll need to submit the following financial proofs of your bank account to the authorities:
- Your bank account details including account number, account opening date, current balance, and average balance for the past six months.
- Information regarding your credit card debts and loans.
- Bank contact information.
Provide Proof of Your Assets:
Showing property deeds or vehicle papers is the suggested way to give asset proof to the authorities. Your asset must be non-liquid or something that can’t be turned into liquid immediately.
As a visitor, an applicant needs to provide two information.
- Original bank statement from his/ her account for the past six months.
- The last six months of pay slips.
In another scenario, if someone else is paying for your trip to Canada, you must provide some additional details.
- A letter of financial custodianship of your stay
- Recent bank statements of the personal account
- Pay slips
- Term deposit statements including owner name, bank opening date, and balance
- A copy of their NID or passport for photo identification.
Meanwhile, if you are applying for a student visa, showing at least one of the following proofs is essential.
- Your Canadian bank account details, where you’ve transferred the money
- Proof of a student or education loan from a bank
- Applicant’s bank statements for the last four months
- Proof of having a scholarship under any Canadian education program
- A bank draft that is convertible to Canadian dollars.
On average, you will need 20,000 CAD to 55,000 CAD per year except for tuition fees to stay in Canada with your family. However, the amount entirely depends on the number of members you have in your family.
Paper Approval
The term paper approval means accepting your visa application. After going through an in-detailed background check, document verification, health issues, and financial proof, the authorities will approve your visa application.
When the application is approved, the visa officer will send you a notice regarding the approval and request you to send a valid passport to finalize your application.
This is the step that takes you so close to your visa approval. If each of your submitted info is genuine and accurate, the authorities need no further info. Ultimately, it allows them to give you a green signal for further proceedings.
Passport Request
The moment you get a passport request means you’re on the doorstep of getting your visa approval. The applicant will receive a letter consisting of a passport request from the Visa processing office.
Following the steps below will help you further.
Step 1: Submit the passport with the required documents in the letter before the submission deadline.
Step 2: Keep at least one blank page on the passport for visa stamps.
Step 3: The passport must come with validity to support your long stay.
Step 4: Submit the passport through the Visa Application Center.
After submitting all the necessary info and the passport, all you have to do is wait until the authorities send back your passport with the visa stamp.
Meanwhile, passport request letters can be of two types, depending on the applicants.
- Applicants from visa-exempt countries
- Applicants from visa-required countries.
The first type of letter will include instructions on how to send a photocopy of the biodata page of your passport.
The next type of letter will provide instructions on how to send a valid passport to the authorities.
Visa Decision
Following these assessments, the final moment arrives at the visa decision. This final step is informed through email or the online application system. Applicants wait in anticipation for this notification, which decides their fate regarding their Canadian journey.
As you await the decision post-biometrics, remember that patience and attention to detail are key. Each step in the Canada visa process is integral to ensuring a fair and thorough assessment. Stay informed and prepared as you proceed through this journey.
How to Complete the Canadian Visa Process Properly?
It can be a challenging and rewarding journey to obtain a Canadian visa. The process requires careful attention to detail and adherence to specific steps. A successful application requires understanding and following these steps.
Step 1: Determine Visa Type
Start by identifying the correct type of visa for your needs, whether it’s a student, tourist visa, work, or international conference in Canada. Each category has its own requirements and application process. Choosing the right type ensures you meet the specific criteria and submit the correct documents.
Step 2: Complete the Application Form
Fill out the application form accurately and truthfully. This form is the foundation of your visa request and requires detailed personal and travel information. Any errors or omissions can delay or jeopardize your application.
Step 3: Gather Required Documents
Collect all necessary documents, including passports, financial statements, and any other supporting materials. These documents should be current and valid, as they provide crucial information to support your visa application.
Step 4: Pay the Application Fee
Submit the required fee for processing your visa application. This fee varies depending on the visa type and must be paid for your application to be considered. Ensure you receive a receipt for your payment.
Step 5: Schedule and Attend Biometrics Appointment
Book and attend a biometrics appointment at a designated service point. Biometrics are crucial for identity verification and are a standard part of the visa process. This step must be completed for the application to proceed.
Step 6: Submit Your Application
Once all steps are completed, submit your application either online or at a Visa Application Centre. Ensure that all information is correct and that you have included all necessary documentation.
Successfully dealing with the Canadian visa process requires diligence and patience. By following these steps methodically, you increase your chances of a favorable outcome. Remember, accuracy and completeness in each step are the keys to a smooth visa application process.
How to Check Your Canada Visa Status After Biometrics?
Regardless of your application type, you can check your Canadian Visa status through the IRCC website.
Here are the simple steps you need to follow.
- First, visit the website and login to your account on the IRCC website to get access to any information regarding the visa.
- If you don’t have an account, then create one using your valid email address and provide a strong password.
- Find out the “Check your application status” section and provide your application number and other required details.
- Then your visa status will pop up on the window.
Meanwhile, the status page will show one of the following statuses.
Received
The authority has received your application. It means your application is in the early stage and there are still 50–50 chances of both visa approval and refusal.
In Progress
They have already started working on it. But it’s hard to estimate how long it will take them to issue your visa. Meanwhile, the progress depends largely on a few factors like the accuracy of your info, and workload in the visa office.
Final Decision
There is no issue with your application and it has been approved. After the approval, the applicant will receive an introduction letter that consists of every necessary detail regarding the visa. It also includes your stay time and restrictions if any apply.
Issued
Go to the Visa Application Center or VAC office to send your passport to the authorities after you’ve got the introduction letter. The visa officer will send your passport back with the visa and a stamp on the passport.
Refused
The authority has rejected your application. There may have been some issues with your application that forced the visa officers not to select your application for further procedures. The refusal letter will explain the issues as well as show you the opportunities for re-application.
Possible Challenges to Face While Applying for a Canadian Visa
Applying for a Canadian visa involves going through a series of complex steps, each with its own set of challenges. These challenges can vary in complexity and impact the overall success of your application. Awareness and preparedness for these obstacles are critical to a smoother visa application process.
- Determining the Correct Visa Type: Incomplete or incorrect documentation can cause significant delays. Accuracy in filling out forms and providing supporting documents is crucial. In some cases, applicants may find that Canadian visa approval after biometrics is delayed due to missing information or errors in their applications.
- Accurate and Complete Documentation: Incomplete or incorrect documentation can cause significant delays. Accuracy in filling out forms and providing supporting documents is crucial.
- Assessing Processing Times: Processing times can vary, leading to uncertainty and potential changes in travel plans. Applicants should be prepared for possible delays.
- Biometrics Appointment Scheduling: Securing a biometrics appointment can be challenging due to high demand. Timely scheduling is essential to avoid delays in the application process.
- Using Online Systems: The online application system can be complex and intimidating. Familiarity with the design and careful attention to detail are necessary.
- Financial Proof Requirements: Providing sufficient proof of financial stability is often a hurdle. Applicants must ensure they meet the financial requirements stipulated by the visa category.
- Language Barriers: Non-native English or French speakers may face difficulties. Proficiency in either of Canada’s official languages is often required.
The Canadian visa process presents a range of challenges that require careful attention and preparation. By being aware of these potential hurdles and planning accordingly, applicants can increase their chances of a successful visa application.
Tips to Overcome Any Challenges While Completing the Canadian Visa Process
To ensure a smoother journey and increase the chances of a successful application, you should be well-prepared and informed. Here are detailed tips to help you effectively overcome potential challenges in this process.
Research Visa Requirements Thoroughly
Taking the time to understand your visa category’s specific requirements is essential. Different visa types, such as student, work, or tourist visas, have particular requirements and documentation.
Thorough research helps avoid common mistakes like applying for the wrong visa type or missing essential documents. Utilize official Canadian immigration websites and consider consulting with immigration experts to get accurate and comprehensive information.
Prepare Documentation Carefully
Accurate and complete documentation is key to a successful visa application. This includes preparing and organizing all required paperwork, such as passports, financial statements, and sponsorship letters, if applicable.
Cross-check each document against the official checklist provided by the Canadian immigration authorities. In case of doubts, don’t hesitate to seek professional advice or assistance to ensure that your documentation meets the standards.
Plan for Processing Times
Visa processing times can be unpredictable and vary based on several factors including the type of visa, application volume, and individual circumstances. To mitigate the impact of these variables, it’s advisable to apply well in advance of your intended travel date. Monitor the estimated processing times available on the immigration website and plan accordingly, keeping in mind that these are subject to change.
Schedule Biometrics Promptly
Once you receive the instruction to provide biometrics, act quickly. Delays in scheduling or attending the biometrics appointment can lead to extended processing times for your application. Regularly check for available slots and be flexible with your schedule to secure an early appointment.
Familiarize Yourself with Online Systems
The Canadian visa application process often requires navigating online systems for form submission and status tracking. Spend time familiarizing yourself with these platforms to avoid errors and technical issues. If you encounter difficulties, look for online resources or tutorials, or consider seeking help from those experienced with the system.
Ensure Financial Stability
Demonstrating financial stability is a critical aspect of the visa application. You need to provide convincing evidence that you can financially support yourself during your stay in Canada. This often involves presenting bank statements, employment letters, or other financial documents. Ensure these documents are up-to-date, clearly legible, and accurately reflect your financial situation.
Improve Language Proficiency
For non-native English or French speakers, language proficiency can be a significant factor in the application process. Taking courses or practicing the language can greatly aid in understanding and completing the application, as well as fulfilling certain visa requirements. Enhanced language skills not only benefit the visa process but also your overall experience in Canada.
Facing the challenges of the Canadian visa application process requires a combination of thorough preparation, careful documentation, patience, and adaptability. By diligently following these tips, applicants can navigate the complexities of the process more confidently and increase the likelihood of a positive outcome. Always stay informed, be proactive, and approach each step with a detail-oriented mindset.
When to Hear Back From the Authorities After Submitting Biometrics?
To be very honest, it’s hard to estimate the time when the authorities will contact you after the submission of biometrics. However, an average estimation is that it takes approximately 8 weeks to hear back from the visa officers.
Meanwhile, three major factors impact the entire procedure.
- Type of visa you are applying for. For instance, a PR visa or student visa requires a lengthy process compared to a tourist visa.
- Provide all required information with your application or else authorities will need to reach you again for additional info, resulting in a lengthier procedure.
- If there is a huge number of applications in the Visa processing office, it’s obvious it will have an impact on your visa process.
As an applicant, you should have some patience as it is a lengthy procedure. Visa officers need to go through important steps like background checks, health issues, ability for financial support, and so on. And the completion of all of these requires time.
Importance of Providing Accurate and Complete Information for Canada Visa
To make your Canada Visa approval a convenient procedure, there is no better way than to provide accurate and complete information. It is also the step that ensures the entire proceedings start on a good note and doesn’t take more time than expected.
Let’s get all the importance on the same page:
- Quickens the visa processing procedure
- Authorities don’t have to reach you again for additional info
- A good impression for the upcoming proceedings
- False info can lead to a refusal of your application.
All in all, authorities will cross-check your provided info to examine whether they are genuine or not. And there is no chance an applicant can get out of this procedure. Therefore, it’s better not to include anything that makes the authority doubtful regarding your identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have any other queries regarding the steps to follow after biometrics for Canada Visa? We’re always here to assist and this FAQ section will help you find answers to some of your most awaited questions.
When Does IRCC Ask for Biometrics?
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) asks for biometrics right after you have applied for a Canadian Visa. Asking for biometrics means the IRCC authority has already received your application.
Before moving on to the next procedure, they will ask you to submit your biometrics. You can mainly apply for a visa under three categories.
- Temporary residence
- Permanent residence
- Refugee protection.
Regardless of what visa you’re applying for, biometrics is the first step before beginning the rest of the procedure.
How Long Does It Take for a Canada Visa to Be Approved After Biometrics?
An approximate time to get your Canada Visa to be approved after biometrics is 8 weeks. However, the duration may not be identical for everyone because it depends on several factors.
- Which type of visa you are applying for like a tourist visa, student visa, citizenship visa, or student visa.
- From where you are applying for or more specifically applicant’s residence.
- Whether your application is perfect and complete or not.
- The time authority takes to check your identity and complete a few security checks.
- Applicant’s response to additional information and requests.
Can a Visa Get Rejected After Biometrics?
Yes, it is possible to get a visa rejection after biometrics and it’s completely normal because the biometrics has nothing to do with the approval or denial. It is also a step of the entire procedure.
Just like you have applied for the visa, you have submitted biometrics to let the procedure advance. Therefore, IRCC has the right to reject your visa application anytime they want.
A few common reasons for visa rejection are –
- Information gap in the application
- False or inaccurate information
- Criminal record arrives as a hindrance to your entrance
- Insufficient funds for citizenship result in the rejection
- Any critical health issues.
Until and unless the visa officer stamps your passport with the visa, there are possibilities of your visa to be rejected.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Passport Request After Biometrics?
Depending on the type of visa you are applying for and the country you reside in, the time can be more or less to get a passport request after biometrics.
Meanwhile, research says one applicant can receive the passport request within 2 to 8 weeks even though there is no guarantee about it.
Let’s give a simple example for a better understanding. A person applying for a tourist visa will receive the passport request earlier compared to a person who is applying for citizenship or study.
The authority needs to have more information about the applicant for the later cases, and that is why it might take a little more time than usual.
How Long Are My Biometrics Valid for a Canada Visa?
If you have submitted biometrics for a Canada Visa, you need not submit it again for the next ten years. Simply, it means, your biometrics will be valid for the next ten years.
Biometrics is a crucial step in approving your entrance to Canada for the first time. Biometrics is a process that includes the submission of your photographs and your fingerprint, which are used to identify you inside Canada.
Once the validity is over, you have to go through the biometric process again while applying for a visa. You don’t need to enroll in biometrics again within 10 years from the submission day, even if you apply for another visa after a certain period.
However, if someone wants to extend their biometrics validity, he/ she can submit biometrics again while applying for another visa.
Is Biometrics the Last Step for Canada PR?
No, biometrics isn’t the last step for Permanent Residency in Canada because it’s merely a part of the long-running procedure.
Every immigrant has to go through the biometric process as a part of the Canadian immigrant process to prove their identity by submitting a photograph and fingerprint.
However, one must go with a lot more procedures on the way to becoming a permanent citizen of Canada. Let’s go through the following steps.
- Submit the required documents, including educational certificates and language proficiency test results.
- Go through a medical exam to let the authorities have a clear idea about your health conditions.
- A background check to identify whether you were connected with any criminal activities before.
- Provide proof of your funds to ensure you can financially support yourself as a citizen.
Thus, the list will go on and on that proof biometrics is never the last step for Canada PR.
How Much is the Biometric Fee for Canada?
An applicant needs to pay “85 Canadian Dollars” as the biometric fee for Canada. However, the biometric fee gets extended when you are applying for a visa including one or two family members.
- $85 for a single applicant
- $170 for a family of two or more members applying at the same time and place
- $255 for three or more performing artists applying at the same time and place.
Meanwhile, one can pay the fee online by going to the IRCC page and then uploading the receipt to your IRCC secure account.
Does Biometrics Mean Approval in Canada?
No, submitting biometrics doesn’t mean you have got the approval in Canada. It’s simply a visa approval process to check your identity. The authorities can work to speed up your visa approval process through this particular procedure.
Biometrics is the way that ensures you are the person you claim to be. Moreover, it’s a good way to protect your personal information.
Which Comes First, Biometrics or Medical for Canada Visa Application?
Although both biometrics and medical are two of the beginning procedures for a Canada Visa, biometrics comes first before medical.
To be more specific, after an applicant applies, the first thing the immigration officers do is send a biometrics instruction letter. Following the instructions, the applicant will submit his/ her fingerprint and a photograph for identification.
The immediate step after biometrics is medical, and as soon as the applicant receives the medical exam request, he/ she must participate to inform the medical status.
Last Words
The path to obtaining a Canadian visa, especially understanding “What is the next step after biometrics for Canada visa?” involves a series of meticulously designed stages.
After biometrics, applicants face the critical phase of application assessment and document verification, leading up to the vital visa decision. Overcoming challenges such as selecting the correct visa type, ensuring accurate documentation, and dealing with processing times requires informed preparation and patience.
By thoroughly researching visa requirements, preparing documents carefully, and being proactive in each step, applicants can effectively navigate these complexities. This comprehensive approach not only addresses the immediate question of what follows biometrics but also paves the way for a successful Canadian visa application process.
After biometrics, the application undergoes a comprehensive review by immigration officials. This phase includes document verification and a decision on the visa. Applicants are usually informed of the outcome through email or the online system, marking the end of the process.
