Maple News reports that Canada has opened two new Visa Application Centres (VACs) in Seattle, Washington, and San Francisco, California, to provide biometric services for U.S.-based applicants pursuing Canadian immigration pathways. These centers started operations on November 23 and offer fingerprinting and photo collection—key requirements for many immigration applications.
The expansion comes as part of a one-year initiative aimed at making biometric collection more accessible following disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. While the two new VACs will only handle biometrics, other services such as document submission and passport return will remain available at existing locations in Los Angeles and New York.
Applicants may also choose from over 130 Application Support Centers (ASCs) throughout the U.S., provided they have received their Biometrics Instruction Letter from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Biometrics are a fundamental element of the Canadian immigration process, required for most individuals applying for visitor visas, work or study permits (excluding U.S. citizens), permanent residency, refugee or asylum status, and extensions of existing permits or visas. However, some individuals are exempt, including children under 14, applicants over 79 (unless applying as asylum seekers), heads of state, diplomats, and those who previously submitted their biometrics within the last 10 years.
Temporary COVID-19 provisions remain in place, exempting individuals currently inside Canada who are applying to extend or restore their temporary resident status as workers, students, or visitors from providing new biometric data.
Canada requires biometrics only once every 10 years. If an applicant has previously provided biometric data in support of a Canadian application during that timeframe, they are generally not required to do so again, even when applying for permanent residency under current pandemic-related measures.
By launching these new VACs in the U.S., IRCC aims to streamline application processes and support applicants impacted by limited access to biometric services during the pandemic. This move reflects Canada’s continued effort to adapt immigration procedures in response to global challenges while maintaining the integrity and efficiency of its programs.
Maple News will continue to monitor and report on updates related to Canadian immigration services and developments impacting international applicants.