Biometric data to be collected from visitors

OTTAWA — Starting next year, visitors from some 30 countries will be required to submit a photograph and fingerprints if they want to come to Canada, Immigration Minister Jason Kenney announced Friday, as details of Canada’s new biometrics program were published in the Canada Gazette.

The new rules will apply starting in 2013 to individuals from Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Cambodia, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Vietnam, Yemen and the Palestinian territories who are seeking to come to Canada as tourists or on study or work permits.

Canadian citizens and permanent residents returning to Canada will not be required to turn over biometric data.

Children under 14, seniors over the age of 79 and diplomats and their families travelling on official business will also be exempt.

“Biometrics has proven to be one of the most effective ways to identify individuals entering the country,” Kenney said in a statement. “By providing immigration officials with greater certainty, biometrics will facilitate legitimate travel to Canada.”

The plan is expected to bring Canada in line with countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and others that already have biometrics provisions.

In an interview with Postmedia News, Kenney called the plan a “massive upgrade in our immigration security screening.”

According to the regulations, the photos and fingerprints would be collected overseas, prior to the individual coming to Canada. Fingerprints would be sent to the RCMP to be checked against fingerprint records of refugee claimants, previous deportees, those with criminal records and previous visa applicants before a decision is made as to whether the individual should receive a visa to come to Canada.

Border officials will use the accompanying photograph to verify an individual’s identity when they arrive in Canada and may require an additional fingerprint scan before they’re ultimately admitted. The government will charge a biometric fee of $85 aimed at offsetting about half the cost of the program.

The biometrics program is among a number of so-called “transformational changes” to Canada’s immigration system that the government has previously promised.