Maple News reports that Canada’s Visa Application Centres (VACs) have officially resumed biometric services across multiple cities in India. This reopening provides critical support for individuals applying for study permits or family sponsorship programs to enter Canada.
The expansion includes newly opened facilities in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Mumbai, New Delhi, and Pune. These VACs will now accept biometric submissions exclusively for students attending eligible institutions in Canada, as well as for family members applying under the spousal, common-law, or dependent child categories for permanent residence.
Given the high volume of applicants from India—Canada’s top source country for immigrants—the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has prioritized processing for students and family class applicants. In 2019 alone, over 85,000 newcomers from India settled in Canada, accounting for roughly 25% of all new permanent residents.
To access biometric services, applicants must first complete a web form via the official VAC website to request an appointment. Confirmation is sent by email, and no walk-in service is currently available. Importantly, VACs will not accept paper applications at this time.
Applicants must also meet Canada’s current COVID-19 protocol. Students are required to hold a valid study permit or a letter of introduction confirming approval, and must be enrolled at a Designated Learning Institution with an approved readiness plan.
Biometrics collection involves taking fingerprints and photographs and is a mandatory step for most foreign nationals applying for immigration documents, including study or work permits, visitor visas, and permanent residency. There is a processing fee associated with this service.
For those needing to send their passport to a VAC, a two-way courier service is available, streamlining the process while reducing the need for in-person contact—a precaution still relevant due to the ongoing pandemic considerations.
This reopening marks a key step in restoring international mobility between India and Canada, particularly for students and families eager to begin their next chapter abroad.