New Visa Application Centres open in Asia-Pacific, the Americas, Europe and Africa

Source: PRNewswire, 02/11/2018

Collecting biometrics provides many benefits: It stops those who
pose a risk to the safety and security of Canadians, while also
helping officials better manage applicants` identities,
facilitating application processing, and simplifying entry for
travellers with legitimate identities.
As most applicants need to give their biometrics before they come
to Canada, the Government of Canada is expanding its worldwide
network of Visa Application Centres (VACs) to make services more
accessible to a wider audience. Today, new VACs have opened in the
following locations:
• In Asia Pacific: Bali, Indonesia; Melbourne, Australia;
• In the Americas: Mendoza, Argentina; Porto Alegre and
Recife, Brazil; Cali, Colombia; Santiago, Chile; and Bridgetown,
Barbados;
• In Europe: Lyon, France; and Vienna, Austria.
Canada has successfully rolled out of the first phase of
biometrics expansion for nationals from countries in Europe,
Africa and the Middle East, who have been required to give their
biometrics since July 31, 2018. Since this first phase of
biometric expansion, Canada also opened the following VACs:
• Athens, Greece; Kigali, Rwanda; Stockholm, Sweden; Berlin,
Germany; and Tel Aviv, Israel. Some of these VACs replace the
temporary biometrics collection service locations that were opened
in Europe to support the first phase of biometrics expansion.
By December 31, 2018, there will be 152 VACs in 103 countries,
including a new VAC in Antananarivo, Madagascar, and Cape Town,
South Africa. More VAC openings will be announced at a later date.
The Government of Canada will closely monitor the impact of the
biometrics collection requirement to ensure that the level of
service available meets the needs of applicants.
To make it as convenient as possible to give biometrics, Canada is
allowing applicants to go to any VAC in any country they are
legally allowed to enter, or, if already legally in the United
States, to one of 135 U.S. Application Support Centers.
Canada is also increasing capacity at existing VACs, including the
12 VACs in China, 10 in India and 2 in the Philippines, to ensure
they continue to meet the needs of biometrically-required
applicants.
The Government of Canada takes its privacy obligations very
seriously, and safeguards have been built into policies,
procedures and technical systems. These policies are based on the
best practices of international partners who are increasingly
relying on biometrics.
Quote
`Biometrics are recognized as one of the most reliable ways to
identify people and are used by more than 70 countries for
immigration screening. As we prepare to roll out the next phase of
biometrics expansion, which will affect our largest volume of
applicants, we will continue to work closely with other
governments, partners and stakeholders to ensure as smooth a
transition as possible.`
â€` The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Immigration, Refugees
and Citizenship
Quick facts:
• VACs are privately owned, third-party service providers
located around the world that are authorized to provide
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) visa
applicants with specific administrative support.
• VACs offer support to applicants before, during and after
their temporary resident application is assessed by an IRCC
officer. VAC service agents can be reached by phone and email, or
in person, to answer questions in local languages. VACs are also
authorized to collect biometrics from applicants.
• In order to better serve the needs of clients in countries
in Asia, Asia Pacific and the Americas, applicants will need to
make an appointment to give their biometrics at a local VAC.
Appointments will be available within 5 business days from the
date the request is made. This will allow applicants to select a
time that is most convenient for them and reduce the wait time at
the VAC.
• Some exemptions to biometrics expansion include:
o Canadian citizens, citizenship applicants (including
passport applicants), or existing permanent residents
o Visa-exempt nationals coming to Canada as tourists;
o Persons under 14 years old and over 79 years old (there is
no upper age exemption for asylum claimants);
o U.S. nationals making an application for a work, study or
temporary resident permit;
o Cabinet ministers and accredited diplomats of other
countries and the United Nations, coming to Canada on official
business; and
o Heads of state and Heads of Government, regardless of
purpose of travel.