The Ministry of Labour is advising the public that due to a ban on business travel for Canadian public servants, the Canadian Consulate is unable to facilitate the Biometric Identification Process for Canadian Visa Applicants in Bermuda.
The public will be aware that specific identification criteria are mandatory for some individuals applying for a Canadian visitor visa, work or study permit or permanent residency in Canada. This is mandatory for all foreign students, inclusive of Bermudian students.
Previously the Bermuda Government in partnership with the Consulate General of Canada was able to offer Biometric collection in Bermuda, thus avoiding the expense of travelling to the US to collect the Biometric data.
Presently, however, due to the impact of COVID-19, the Canadian Government has instituted a travel ban for Canadian public servants. As a result, representatives from the Consulate General of Canada are unable to send a team to Bermuda to provide biometrics collection.
As such, until the ban on business travel for Canadian public servants is lifted, here are the steps that residents must take to secure the data.
Biometric enrolment continues to be available, by appointment, through the Visa Application Centre (VAC) network and the 135 U.S. Application Support Centers (ASC).
For students studying in Canada, specific procedures for the Study Permit process, are as follows:
- Students are advised to apply for a Study Permit using the online process at their earliest opportunity.
- Detailed instructions can be found at http://www.cic.gc.ca/ENGLISH/information/applications/student.asp
- Once the application has been submitted and all fees paid, students will receive instructions on biometric enrolment and can proceed to make a biometrics appointment at a VAC or ASC of their choice.
- The timeframe for submitting biometrics is normally 30 days.
If a student needs more time to arrange travel to complete this step, they should contact the Government of Canada office to request an extension. The contact email address is NewYork-im-enquiry@international.gc.ca.
The Minister of Labour, the Hon. Jason Hayward, JP, MP, said, “The inability of our Canadian partners to travel to Bermuda to assist us, as they have done so in the past, is an unfortunate impact of COVID-19. Persons needing to obtain the Biometric Data to complete their application process will need to make alternative arrangements to travel overseas to obtain a test. The Department of Immigration will closely monitor this situation and immediately notify the public should circumstances change.”