Canada to introduce biometrics requirement in 2013 for 30 nations

Canada, 10th December: Canada will have biometrics rule for foreign visitors from 30 nations with effect from 2013.

This has been announced by Canada immigration minister Jason Kenney.

Canada makes biometrics mandatory for 30 nations—Foreigners from 30 nations will now be required to submit fingerprints and a photograph in order to come to Canada, as per the latest reforms announced to Canada immigration rules.

The announcement of new Canada immigration policy was made Friday and the details can be found in the Canada Gazette.

Canada immigration’s new ruling of biometrics for foreigners from 30 nations needing to submit photograph along with fingerprints will be for those desirous of Canada study visa, Canada work visa or Canada visitor visa.

Nations governed by new Canada biometrics requirement—Following are the nations to be governed by new biometrics requirement to enable their nationals come to Canada.

Afghanistan, Algeria, Albania, Burma(Myanmar), Bangladesh, Colombia, Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Haiti, Iraq, Iran, Jordan, Jamaica, Libya, Laos, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Vietnam, Yemen and the Palestinian territory.

Nationals from any of the above named nations will be required to submit fingerprints and a photograph as a necessary condition for coming to Canada. Foreigners from these nations will be required to submit these two documents for coming to Canada on study visa, work visa or visitor visas.

Prior submission of fingerprints, photos must--The new reforms in Canada immigration rules are being termed by Kenney as a massive upgrade in immigration security screening. A point worth notable here is that all applicants will have to submit fingerprints as well as photographs before their arrival to Canada.

That’s because fingerprints and photos will be collected from applicants and sent over to the RCMP for verifying against fingerprint records of previous deportees, refugee claimants, previous Canada visa applicants and those with records of crime.

A decision will then be made with regard to giving nod to grant a Canada visa to the applicant or vice-versa. The latest changes to Canada immigration concerning biometrics requirement are among a range of transformational reforms pledged by the government.