Do you still need biometrics if you already gave them, given the pandemic-era exemption?

Historical note: this reflects a specific COVID-19-era policy window — a temporary biometrics exemption for PR applicants inside Canada who had given biometrics within the prior 10 years, followed by Service Canada centres reopening in November 2020.

What group members advised:

1. The 10-year rule is the key test: if your biometrics were taken less than 10 years ago, you generally don't need to redo them under normal rules.


2. Some applicants were still asked to retake biometrics even after the temporary exemption was announced, and later received a fee refund for the exemption — so a request for biometrics doesn't necessarily override the exemption's eligibility, but processing can be inconsistent.


3. If you're able to book an appointment at all, that confirms the relevant Service Canada centre is open and processing biometrics again as of that time.

If you're facing a similar situation outside of a pandemic-related exemption period, check IRCC's current biometrics validity rules (generally the 10-year validity period still applies) rather than relying on this specific historical exemption.