Thousands of applicants unaware they're exempt from biometrics requirements
On This Page You Will Find:
- Definitive exemption rules for applications submitted before December 31, 2018
- Step-by-step verification methods to confirm your application date
- Complete breakdown of which countries and application types qualify
- Insider knowledge about IRCC's biometrics expansion timeline
- Actionable steps to protect your exemption status
Summary:
If you submitted your Canadian immigration application before December 31, 2018, and you're from Asia, Asia Pacific, or the Americas, you've won the exemption lottery. Despite years of processing delays, your application remains permanently protected from biometrics requirements—saving you time, money, and the hassle of fingerprinting appointments. This exemption applies regardless of how long your application takes to process, making it one of the most valuable grandfather clauses in Canadian immigration history.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- Applications from Asia, Asia Pacific, and Americas received before Dec 31, 2018 are permanently exempt from biometrics
- Exemption status remains valid throughout entire processing period, regardless of delays
- Verification requires checking your online account or courier tracking for exact received date
- This exemption saves applicants approximately $85 CAD per person plus appointment time
- The cutoff is based on when IRCC received your application, not when you submitted it
Maria Santos stared at the biometrics appointment notice in her email, confused and frustrated. Her work permit application had been in processing for over three years, and now IRCC was asking for fingerprints and photos. But here's what Maria didn't know: if she submitted her application before December 31, 2018, she might be completely exempt from this requirement—and thousands of applicants like her are unaware of this protection.
The biometrics exemption for pre-2019 applications represents one of the most significant yet under-publicized protections in Canadian immigration law. If you're among the applicants who submitted before the December 31, 2018 deadline, you're sitting on a valuable exemption that could save you both time and money.
Understanding Your Protected Status
The December 31, 2018 Grandfather Clause
When IRCC expanded biometrics requirements on December 31, 2018, they created an unprecedented protection for pending applications. Any application from nationals of countries in Asia, Asia Pacific, or the Americas that was received before this date remains completely exempt from biometrics requirements.
This isn't just a temporary reprieve—it's a permanent exemption that lasts throughout your entire application process, even if processing takes several more years.
Who Qualifies for the Exemption
The exemption applies specifically to nationals from:
- Asia: Including China, India, Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and all other Asian countries
- Asia Pacific: Including Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island nations
- Americas: Including all of North, Central, and South America (excluding the United States and Canada)
Your exemption covers applications for:
- Visitor visas (temporary resident visas)
- Study permits
- Work permits
- Permanent residence applications
Verifying Your Application Date: Two Reliable Methods
Method 1: Online Account Verification
The most straightforward way to confirm your exemption status is through your IRCC online account:
- Log into your IRCC secure account
- Navigate to "View the applications you submitted"
- Look for the "Date submitted" or "Date received" column
- Confirm the date shows before December 31, 2018
If your application shows a received date of December 30, 2018 or earlier, you're protected under the exemption.
Method 2: Courier Service Tracking
If you submitted your application by mail or courier service, you can verify the received date through tracking:
- Locate your original courier tracking number
- Access the courier company's tracking history
- Find the "delivered" or "received" date
- Confirm this date falls before December 31, 2018
This method is particularly important because the exemption is based on when IRCC physically received your application, not when you sent it.
The Financial Impact of Your Exemption
Understanding what you're saving makes this exemption even more valuable. Current biometrics fees are:
- $85 CAD per person
- $170 CAD for families (maximum of two people)
- $255 CAD for groups of three or more
Beyond the fees, you're also avoiding:
- Travel time to biometrics collection centers
- Potential time off work for appointments
- Additional documentation requirements
- Processing delays that can occur with biometrics collection
For a family of four, this exemption saves $255 CAD plus several hours of appointment time.
Why This Exemption Exists
The biometrics expansion on December 31, 2018 marked a significant shift in IRCC's security protocols. Before this date, biometrics were only required from nationals of specific countries with higher security concerns. The expansion brought Canada in line with other countries like the United States and United Kingdom.
However, IRCC recognized that requiring biometrics from applications already in the system would create massive administrative burdens and unfair treatment for applicants who had submitted under different rules. The grandfather clause ensures fairness while maintaining security standards for new applications.
Common Misconceptions About the Exemption
"My Application is Taking Too Long—The Exemption Must Have Expired"
This is completely false. Your exemption status is permanent and tied to your application's received date, not processing time. Even if your application takes five years to process, your exemption remains valid.
"I Need to Update My Application, So I Need Biometrics Now"
Standard application updates, additional document submissions, or status changes don't affect your exemption status. Your original received date determines your biometrics requirements throughout the entire process.
"The Rules Changed, So Everyone Needs Biometrics Now"
While biometrics requirements have continued to expand for new applications, the December 31, 2018 exemption remains protected. IRCC has not retroactively applied biometrics requirements to exempt applications.
What to Do If You Receive a Biometrics Request
If you believe you qualify for the exemption but receive a biometrics instruction letter, don't panic. This sometimes happens due to:
- System errors
- File transfers between processing centers
- Administrative oversights
Immediate steps to take:
- Gather proof of your application received date
- Contact IRCC through the web form or phone
- Clearly state your exemption status with supporting documentation
- Reference the December 31, 2018 cutoff date for your country group
- Request confirmation of your exemption status in writing
Most biometrics requests sent to exempt applicants are resolved quickly once IRCC verifies the original received date.
Protecting Your Exemption Status
While your exemption is secure, you can take steps to protect it:
Document Everything:
- Screenshot your online account showing the received date
- Save courier tracking confirmations
- Keep copies of all original submission documentation
Stay Informed:
- Monitor your application status regularly
- Respond promptly to any IRCC communications
- Keep your contact information updated
Know Your Rights:
- Understand that your exemption is legally protected
- Don't voluntarily provide biometrics unless specifically required for other applications
- Seek professional advice if your exemption status is questioned
Looking Forward: What This Means for Your Application
Your biometrics exemption doesn't just save money—it can actually speed up your application processing. Without the need to schedule and complete biometrics appointments, your application can proceed directly through security and background checks.
This exemption also provides certainty in an immigration system known for changing requirements. While future policy changes may affect new applications, your protected status remains unchanged.
The December 31, 2018 biometrics exemption represents a rare piece of good news in Canadian immigration—a permanent protection that saves time, money, and stress for thousands of applicants. If you submitted your application before this crucial date, you're part of a protected group that benefits from one of the most significant grandfather clauses in recent IRCC history.
Whether your application processes next month or next year, your exemption status remains your shield against biometrics requirements. In an immigration system where rules constantly evolve, this protection offers the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly where you stand.
FAQ
Q: Which countries and application types are covered under the pre-2019 biometrics exemption?
The exemption applies to nationals from three specific regions: Asia (including China, India, Philippines, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and all other Asian countries), Asia Pacific (including Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific Island nations), and the Americas (all of North, Central, and South America, excluding the United States and Canada). This protection covers all major application types including visitor visas (temporary resident visas), study permits, work permits, and permanent residence applications. The key requirement is that your application must have been received by IRCC before December 31, 2018. Notably, nationals from European countries, Africa, and the Middle East were already subject to biometrics requirements before 2018, so this exemption doesn't apply to them.
Q: How can I definitively verify that my application qualifies for the biometrics exemption?
There are two reliable methods to confirm your exemption status. First, log into your IRCC secure account, navigate to "View the applications you submitted," and check the "Date submitted" or "Date received" column—if it shows December 30, 2018 or earlier, you're protected. Second, if you submitted by mail or courier, use your original tracking number to access the courier company's delivery history and confirm the received date. Remember, the exemption is based on when IRCC physically received your application, not when you sent it. Screenshot your online account or save courier tracking confirmations as proof, since these documents may be crucial if you're incorrectly asked for biometrics later.
Q: I received a biometrics instruction letter despite submitting before December 31, 2018. What should I do?
Don't panic—this happens occasionally due to system errors, file transfers between processing centers, or administrative oversights. First, gather proof of your application received date from your online account or courier tracking. Then contact IRCC immediately through their web form or phone line, clearly stating your exemption status with supporting documentation. Reference the December 31, 2018 cutoff date for your country group and request written confirmation of your exemption status. Most incorrect biometrics requests are resolved quickly once IRCC verifies your original received date. Do not voluntarily provide biometrics or pay fees until IRCC confirms whether your exemption applies, as this could complicate your case unnecessarily.
Q: Does the exemption expire if my application takes several years to process, or if I need to update my application?
Your exemption is permanent and tied to your application's original received date, not processing time or application updates. Even if your application takes five years to process, your exemption remains valid throughout the entire period. Standard application updates, additional document submissions, medical exam renewals, or status changes don't affect your exemption status. This protection exists specifically because IRCC recognized it would be unfair to change requirements for applications already in the system. The only way you'd need biometrics is if you submit an entirely new application after December 31, 2018, or if you're applying for a different immigration program that wasn't part of your original exempt application.
Q: What are the financial and practical benefits of having this biometrics exemption?
The exemption saves significant money and time. Current biometrics fees are $85 CAD per person, $170 CAD for families (maximum two people), or $255 CAD for groups of three or more—so a family of four saves $255 CAD. Beyond fees, you avoid travel time to biometrics collection centers, potential time off work for appointments, and additional documentation requirements. You also skip processing delays that can occur with biometrics collection, as your application can proceed directly through security and background checks. For many applicants, this exemption eliminates a major logistical hurdle, especially those living far from biometrics collection centers or with scheduling constraints. The time savings alone can be worth hundreds of dollars in lost wages or travel expenses.
Q: Will future policy changes affect my pre-2019 biometrics exemption status?
No, your exemption is legally protected under the grandfather clause established when biometrics requirements expanded on December 31, 2018. IRCC has consistently maintained that this exemption remains valid regardless of future policy changes or expanded biometrics requirements for new applications. This protection exists specifically because retroactively applying new requirements to pending applications would create unfair treatment for applicants who submitted under different rules. Even as biometrics requirements have continued expanding for new applications since 2018, the December 31, 2018 exemption has remained untouched. Your protected status provides certainty in an immigration system known for changing requirements, offering peace of mind that this particular aspect of your application won't be subject to future rule changes.
