The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Commerce takes this opportunity to inform the general public that the Canadian Government has expanded its Immigration Biometrics programme (i.e. fingerprints and digital photograph) to include nationals of countries in Asia, Asia Pacific and the Americas (St. Vincent and the Grenadines included) applying for a visitor’s visa, study or work permit and for persons applying for permanent residence.
Persons that are exempt from enrolling their biometrics include:
- Diplomats travelling on official business;
- Persons under the age of 14 and over the age of 79;
- Heads of state/government; and
- Visa-exempt nationals coming to Canada as tourists who hold a valid electronic travel authorisation (eTA).
Applications for a Canadian visa received before December 31, 2018 from nationals for the regions mentioned above would not be required to provide biometric information.
However, effective December 31, 2018, ALL foreign nationals (unless exempt) applying for temporary or permanent residence will be required to provide biometric information to the nearest visa application centre.
The visa application centre for Vincentian nationals applying for a Canadian Visa is located in Trinidad and Tobago. You can visit the website at https://www.vfsglobal.ca/Canada/Trinidad-and-Tobago/.
For further information on the biometrics requirements, kindly visit the website at: www.canada.ca/biometrics.
