VACs are becoming more accessible to those looking to come to Canada as permanent residents, foreign workers, students, and visitors.
In recent weeks, more Visa Application Centres (VACs) around the world have been re-opening to provide services to those looking to come to Canada.
VACs enable individuals to submit their biometrics as part of the requirements outlined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Individuals provide their fingerprints, photos, and pay a fee as part of the biometrics collection process. Canada obtains biometrics to make it easier and safer to travel into the country.
Since March, VACs have been closed as part of global measures to contain the coronavirus.
Need assistance with a temporary visa application process? Contact wp@canadavisa.com
The list of open VACs is constantly being updated on IRCC’s website so the following list may not contain every VAC that is currently opened:
Melbourne
Sydney
Vienna
Manama
Bridgetown
Beijing
Chengdu
Chongqing
Guangzhou
Hangzhou
Jinan
Kunming
Nanjing
Shanghai
Shenyang
Suva
Paris
Berlin
Düsseldorf
Accra
Athens
Erbil
Tel Aviv
Rome
Osaka
Tokyo
Kuala Lumpur
Auckland
Bucharest
Belgrade
Madrid
Colombo
Bangkok
The Hague
Port of Spain
Abu Dhabi
Dubai
If your local VAC is closed
IRCC continues to provide updates to those who are unable to submit their biometrics at this time.
It will not refuse the application of an individual who is unable to provide their biometrics. IRCC will leave their applications open by providing them with automatic extensions on their biometrics deadlines. Individuals do not have to give their biometrics until VAC sites re-open and they do not need to contact IRCC to request an extension on their deadline.
Temporary foreign workers (TFWs) are exempt from providing their biometrics overseas if their local VAC is closed and they are set to work in Canada as truck drivers, or in the health care or agriculture sectors. If they have not provided their biometrics to Canada before, exempt TFWs can do so when they get to Canada.
IRCC has also indicated they are considering additional reforms to help individuals complete the biometrics process more easily during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Need assistance with a temporary visa application process? Contact wp@canadavisa.com