Three processes not to confuse
| Process | What to expect | First check |
|---|---|---|
| Biometrics | Collection of fingerprints and a photograph | Am I exempt, or are my data still valid? |
| Immigration medical exam | An exam performed by an IRCC-designated doctor | Do my previous stays or activities mean that an exam is required? |
| Police certificate | A document obtained from the appropriate authority, if requested | Does my checklist or IRCC ask me for this document? |
Fingerprints collected for a police certificate do not replace immigration biometrics. Similarly, your regular doctor can perform an immigration medical exam only if they are designated by IRCC.
Biometrics: do you need to provide them?
Biometrics may be required for a first study permit application or an extension, but exemptions exist. These include, among others, U.S. nationals, children under 14 years of age and people over 79 years of age. IRCC takes your age into account on the date you submit your application. These examples are not a complete list of exemptions.
For temporary residence, biometrics are normally provided once every 10 years. If you have already provided them for a Canadian immigration process, check their expiry date before arranging a new collection. The validity period of your permit cannot extend beyond the expiry date of these data: biometrics that are close to expiring may therefore limit the length of the document issued.
Biometrics: when and where to book an appointment
For an online application, the usual steps are:
- Submit your application and pay the biometrics fee, if required.
- Wait for the letter of instruction from IRCC.
- As soon as you receive it, book an appointment at an official collection site.
- Bring your letter and valid passport to the appointment.
You normally have 30 days after receiving the letter to provide your data. Also note the deadline and instructions in your letter.
| Where are you? | Collection site to look for |
|---|---|
| Outside Canada and the United States | Visa Application Centre, or VAC |
| In the United States | Application Support Center or VAC, if you are legally in the United States |
| In Canada | Designated Service Canada office |
If there is no VAC in your country or territory, IRCC allows you to go to a centre elsewhere. Check its list of collection sites and the instructions of your chosen centre before travelling. Booking an appointment is free.
If no available time slot lets you meet the deadline, explain the situation to IRCC using its web form. Include the date of the appointment you obtained and attach a screenshot of its confirmation. An extension is not automatic.
Finally, if you have already submitted your application and received your letter, do not expect to provide your biometrics at a port of entry when you arrive in Canada.
How much should you budget for biometrics and the permit?
As of November 7, 2026, IRCC's fee schedule lists the following amounts:
| Fee | Amount | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Study permit | $150 CAD per person | Separate from the biometrics fee |
| Biometrics | $85 CAD per person | When the biometrics fee is required |
| Family biometrics | Maximum of $170 CAD | For an eligible family of two or more people submitting their applications together, at the same time |
For someone who must pay both individual fees, the permit and biometrics come to $235 CAD. This is not the full cost of the application. Check who is eligible for the family maximum before using it in your calculation.
Depending on your situation, add travel and accommodation for appointments, as well as any medical exam, police certificate and translation fees. Even a free appointment to book may involve costly travel.
Medical exams: who needs one and when?
A study stay of more than six months does not, by itself, make a medical exam mandatory. For an application submitted from outside Canada and a planned stay of more than six months, IRCC requires an exam, among other cases, if you stayed for at least six consecutive months in a designated country or territory during the year before coming to Canada. So it is your history of stays that you need to review, not just your nationality.
Some activities in health care or with children may also make an exam necessary, regardless of the planned length of stay. Check IRCC's criteria based on the activities you are planning.
If you are already in Canada, check whether you can reuse a previous exam before booking a new one. A temporary policy in effect until October 5, 2029, may exempt some applicants from a new exam, subject to conditions. It applies, among others, to people who completed an immigration medical exam within the past five years whose results presented low or no risk. Review all of IRCC's current conditions to find out whether this exemption applies to you.
For an application from outside Canada, IRCC's guide describes two options: take an upfront medical exam, before applying, or wait for medical instructions from the office processing your application. The medical exam page recommends an upfront exam for students who need one. If you choose this option, include the proof provided by the doctor with your application. The exam does not guarantee that your permit will be approved.
Only an IRCC-designated doctor can perform this exam. Search the official directory for a practitioner, then ask the office about the price, what is included and which documents to bring. You are responsible for the fees, which vary by practitioner.
The results are valid for 12 months. If you do not enter Canada during this period, you may need a new exam. Before booking, therefore, compare your planned departure date with your application timeline.
Police certificates: follow the instructions for your application
IRCC may request a police certificate for a study permit application, but it does not require one from every applicant in all cases. Check your checklist, the visa office instructions and the messages you receive after submitting your application. Do not automatically apply the timelines for another immigration program to your application.
The process varies by country or territory. It generally involves the police or a government authority and may require fees, photographs, fingerprints or your previous addresses. Consult IRCC's instructions for the country concerned: some countries require a letter from IRCC before issuing the certificate.
If the certificate is in neither English nor French, IRCC requires the original and a translation made by a certified translator. Also check the submission instructions and the date requirements for your application before ordering the document.
Organize your follow-up and find useful resources
For each process that applies to you, note the responsible authority, cost, deadline, appointment and proof to keep. Keep the biometrics letter, confirmations and medical or police documents with the other documents in your application. Monitor your account and messages: IRCC may request a document after you submit your application.
To learn more about an institution, the StudyCanada profiles for the University of Ottawa and McGill University are useful starting points. The Ottawa resource distinguishes immigration biometrics from fingerprints collected for other processes; McGill's FAQ discusses biometrics when extending a permit. To find out what applies to your situation, refer to IRCC's instructions.