Canada to Make Biometrics Mandatory for All Citizenship Applicants by 2027 – A Major Shift in Policy

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed a major upcoming change to the Canadian citizenship process: mandatory biometric collection for all citizenship grant applications. This new requirement—covering both fingerprints and facial recognition data—will become a standard part of the process starting 2027, marking a significant departure from past practices.

What’s Changing

Historically, citizenship applicants in Canada were exempt from providing biometrics. While fingerprints were occasionally requested for security checks or identity verification in specific cases, there was no uniform system. This is about to change.

The proposed amendments to the Citizenship Regulations will require every applicant to submit biometric information as part of their application. This move follows legislative authority granted in June 2023, which empowered IRCC to integrate biometrics into the Citizenship Program for the first time as a standardized process.

The biometric data will be cross-checked with national and international security databases such as:

• The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
• Interpol
• Other trusted law enforcement systems

This is intended to reduce fraud, strengthen identity verification, and speed up application processing by removing the need for manual checks.

How the Process Will Work

The procedure will be similar to how biometrics are currently collected for work permits, study permits, and permanent residency:

1. Applicants will receive a biometric instruction letter after submitting their citizenship application.
2. They will visit a Service Canada office or authorized private biometric collection centre to provide their fingerprints and have their photo taken.
3. The information will be encrypted and stored securely, with strict access controls to protect privacy under Canada’s Privacy Act.

The government has assured that data retention periods will be limited, and access will be restricted to authorized personnel only.

Why This Change Matters

Canada processes over 300,000 citizenship applications annually. Without biometrics, IRCC sometimes faced delays and inconsistencies in verifying identities—especially for applicants with common names or incomplete records.

By introducing biometrics:

• Security will improve by preventing identity fraud.
• Processing will be faster as automated verification replaces time-consuming manual checks.
• Canada will align with international best practices, similar to countries like the United States, Australia, and the UK, where biometrics are already required for citizenship.

Timeline & Implementation

• 2026 – The proposed regulations will be pre-published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, opening a 30-day public consultation period.
• 2027 – Final regulations will be published in Canada Gazette, Part II, and biometrics will become mandatory for all new citizenship applications.

During 2026, IRCC will:

• Expand biometric collection centres to improve access for applicants in urban and remote areas.
• Conduct public awareness campaigns about the new requirement.
• Finalize fees, data handling procedures, and accessibility measures.

Impact on Applicants

For most applicants, this will be an additional step in the process, but one aimed at strengthening the system’s integrity. Those applying in 2027 and beyond should expect to budget extra time for biometric appointments.

Public Role in Shaping the Rule

Applicants, immigration consultants, advocacy groups, and community organizations will be able to submit feedback during the 2026 consultation. Concerns about cost, accessibility, and privacy will be considered before finalizing the rules.

This is an important opportunity for stakeholders to ensure the new policy remains secure yet inclusive.

For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!