Canada Visa Biometrics in India in 2026: The CAD 85 Step, VFS Appointment and What to Expect
By Ananya Singh (Ananya Singh writes step-by-step first-international-trip guides for Indians — passport rules, visa cascade timing, immigration walkthroughs, and the unglamorous logistics that separate a smooth trip from a stranded one.) · Published · Last updated · 10 min read
Almost every Canada visa applicant from India must give biometrics — fingerprints and a photo — at a VFS centre for CAD 85. Here's the Biometric Instruction Letter, the 30-day deadline, how to book, what happens at the appointment, and the 10-year validity that saves you next time.
Quick answer
Yes — most Indians applying for a Canada visa must give biometrics (fingerprints and a photo) at a VFS centre for CAD 85. As of June 2026, after you submit your online application, IRCC issues a Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL); you then have 30 days to book and attend a biometrics appointment at a VFS Canada Visa Application Centre in India. The fee is CAD 85 per person (~₹5,200), capped at CAD 170 for a family applying together. The appointment itself takes 15–40 minutes. Biometrics are valid 10 years, so future Canada applications within that window skip this step. You must attend in person — no proxies. Fees change — confirm on the official VFS Canada India site. See our Canada visitor visa guide for the full process.
Where biometrics fit in the Canada visa process
For Indians, the order is fixed and trips people up if misunderstood:
- Apply online for your visa (visitor, study, work) and pay the visa fee.
- Receive the Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL) by email — this is your trigger to give biometrics.
- Book a VFS biometrics appointment and pay the CAD 85 biometric fee.
- Attend in person, give fingerprints and a photo.
- Wait for the decision — biometrics must be on file before IRCC finalises.
You cannot give biometrics before you have the BIL. Some applicants try to pre-book and get turned away. Line up flights only once your visa is approved — compare Delhi and Mumbai fares to Toronto and Vancouver in the FlightGPT chat.
The fee and the 10-year validity
As of June 2026 (verify on the official site):
- CAD 85 per person (~₹5,200) for individual biometrics.
- CAD 170 maximum for a family applying together, regardless of the number of members.
- Paid via the VFS booking flow, separate from the visa fee.
The big upside: biometrics are valid for 10 years. Once you've given them for a Canada application, you won't need to repeat them for subsequent Canada applications within that decade — a real saving for frequent travellers. Note the biometric fee is separate from VFS service charges and the visa fee itself, so budget for all three.
Biometrics for families and children
Travelling as a family changes the math a little. As of June 2026:
- Family fee cap — biometrics for a family applying together is capped at CAD 170, regardless of how many members, versus CAD 85 each. Apply as a group to benefit.
- Children — younger children may be exempt from fingerprinting (commonly those under 14), though a photo can still be required; check each child's BIL.
- Everyone attends — each person whose biometrics are required must appear in person at the VFS centre; you can't send one parent for the whole family's prints.
Book all the family appointments together where possible so you make one trip to the centre. Carry each person's passport and BIL. If one member is exempt and another isn't, only the required members give biometrics, but the fee cap still helps. Confirm the current family-cap and child-exemption rules on the official VFS Canada India site, as they're periodically updated.
The 30-day deadline and booking your slot
Your BIL gives you 30 days to complete biometrics — don't let it lapse. To book:
- Go to the official VFS Canada India site visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/can.
- Click 'Book an Appointment' and select 'Biometric Enrollment' as the service.
- Choose your city centre, date and time, and pay the CAD 85.
- Carry your BIL, passport and appointment confirmation on the day.
VFS operates Canada centres across major Indian cities. Slots can be busy in peak season, so book as soon as your BIL arrives. If your nearest centre is full, check another city's centre.
What happens at the appointment
The biometrics appointment is short and simple — you're only there for fingerprints and a photo, not an interview:
- Fingerprint scan — all ten fingers, digitally, on a scanner.
- Digital photograph — a standard facial image.
- Identity confirmation against your BIL and passport.
Total time is roughly 15–40 minutes including waiting; the biometric capture itself is 20–30 minutes. You must attend in person — sending someone in your place is not permitted. Bring your passport, the printed BIL, and your appointment confirmation. No documents are adjudicated here; that's all done on your online file.
Who is exempt from giving biometrics
Not absolutely everyone has to give biometrics, though most Indian applicants do. As of June 2026, common exemptions include:
- Children under 14 are generally exempt from the fingerprint requirement (a photo may still be needed in some cases).
- Applicants 79 and over are typically exempt for visitor visas.
- Those who already gave biometrics for a Canada application within the last 10 years and they're still valid.
Your Biometric Instruction Letter (or its absence) tells you whether you need to attend — if IRCC doesn't issue a BIL, you may not need to give biometrics for that application. Don't assume; let the system and the BIL decide. If you're unsure whether your existing biometrics are still valid, the official IRCC tool can check using your details. Confirm the current exemptions on the official IRCC site, as the age thresholds and conditions are periodically reviewed.
Common mistakes to avoid
A few errors cause delays:
- Letting the 30-day window lapse — book the moment the BIL lands.
- Assuming you can skip it — most Indian applicants must give biometrics; check your BIL.
- Sending a proxy — not allowed; the applicant must attend.
- Forgetting the fee is separate — budget CAD 85 (or CAD 170/family) on top of the visa and VFS charges.
Get these right and biometrics is the easy part. For reducing refusal risk on the visa itself, see our Canada biometrics and medical guide and how to build travel history. Once approved, price your Canada flights in the FlightGPT chat.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Canada visa biometrics cost from India in 2026?
CAD 85 per person (about ₹5,200), capped at CAD 170 for a family applying together. This is separate from the visa fee and VFS service charges. Confirm the current amount on the official VFS Canada India site.
When do I give biometrics for a Canada visa?
After you submit your online application and receive the Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL). You then have 30 days to book and attend a biometrics appointment at a VFS Canada centre. You cannot give biometrics before the BIL arrives.
How long are Canada visa biometrics valid?
Ten years. Once you've given biometrics for a Canada application, you won't need to repeat them for subsequent Canada applications within that decade — a useful saving for frequent travellers.
What happens at the Canada biometrics appointment?
You give a fingerprint scan and a digital photo, and your identity is confirmed against your BIL and passport. It takes roughly 15–40 minutes including waiting. There's no interview, and you must attend in person — proxies are not allowed.
Can someone else give biometrics on my behalf?
No. The visa applicant must attend the biometrics appointment in person. Sending someone in your place is not permitted. Bring your passport, the printed BIL and your appointment confirmation.