A member asked whether biometric appointments are booked through the VFS Global website, or whether IRCC assigns a date automatically after visa application and fee payment — their agent had told them a date would come automatically within 2-3 days.
What the thread clarified:- After submitting your application and paying fees, IRCC sends you a Biometrics Instructions Letter within hours to a few days, with detailed instructions on the next step.
- You then upload that Biometrics Instructions Letter at the VFS Global website to book your appointment — the appointment itself isn't assigned automatically by IRCC without this step; you have to actively follow the VFS process using the letter.
- You generally don't get a choice of appointment date — the system assigns one automatically once you complete the VFS booking process, rather than letting you pick a convenient date.
- If you can't make the assigned date, you may need to wait a set number of days (around 5) before rebooking, so factor in your availability before applying if you know you'll need extra lead time before your biometrics appointment.
The practical takeaway: expect a Biometrics Instructions Letter from IRCC within days of applying, which you then upload at the VFS Global website to get an automatically assigned appointment date — you can't choose the date, and missing it means a several-day wait to rebook, so plan your application timing with your availability in mind.