Canada exempts foreign workers from giving biometrics overseas
IRCC continues to offer flexibility during coronavirus pandemic to help foreign nationals enter Canada.
Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced today it has put in place a temporary policy measure to exempt temporary foreign workers in certain sectors from having to give their biometrics before arriving in Canada if the biometrics collection site closest to them is closed due to a coronavirus-related disruption.
Temporary Foreign workers are exempt if they are set to work as truck drivers, or in the healthcare, agriculture, or agri-food sectors in Canada.
IRCC notes that many of these workers have already provided Canada with their biometric since they have previously worked in the country. Nonetheless, it will continue to maintain the safety and security of the Canadian public by ensuring that biometrics are collected for all TFWs.
What happens upon arrival in Canada
Upon arrival, TFWs may be asked to provide their biometrics at a Point of Entry (POE) in Canada.
In addition, they will be screened at the POE by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to ensure they are arriving for an essential purpose. Under current guidelines, arriving in Canada to work in the country is deemed essential travel.
Once a TFW has entered Canada, it must self-quarantine by law for a period of 14 days.