Visa Application Centre service changes in Europe, Africa and Middle East

Visa application centres (VACs) have contracts with the Government of Canada to provide visa application support services and biometrics (fingerprints and photographs).

Currently, the following services are offered as a package at VACs in Europe, Africa and the Middle East:

• submitting paper application

• sending documents (such as passport) and returning them to you

• collecting biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) by appointment and/or walk-in

Beginning November 2, 2019, at VACs in Europe, Africa and the Middle East you will be required to:

• pay an extra fee to submit your paper application (fee is different by location)

• make an appointment to provide your biometrics (no more walk-in)

Also, new VAC websites will be launched in October for all VACs in Europe, Africa and the Middle East. The below two VACs will be closed effective November 29, 2019:

• Sofia, Bulgaria

• Podgorica, Montenegro

To find a visa application centre near you click here

Canada’s new biometrics rules: Europe, the Middle East and Africa

Fingerprints and a photograph are now required for identification purposes and have become mandatory for people from Middle East, Africa and Europe when applying either for a visitor visa, work permit, study permit, permanent residence or for asylum.

However, people coming form visa-exempt countries with a valid electronic travel authorization (eTA) do not have to provide biometrics.

Biometric cost CAD $85 for one person or CAD$170 for a family when applying together.

Visitor visa, study and work permit applicants need to give their biometrics once every 10 years. They don’t need to give your biometrics again until the 10-year period expires.

Permanent residence applicants need to give their biometrics and pay the fee each time they apply, even if they gave their biometrics in the past for another application.