Obtaining a visa or permanent resident status in Canada involves multiple administrative steps, including a criminal background check. When Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) requires digital fingerprinting, it is not just a formality. This process enables the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) to conduct a comprehensive background screening within Canada’s criminal records database, ensuring both transparency and security throughout the immigration process.
It is required in various situations, including:
- An application for permanent residency
- An application for Canadian citizenship
- A sponsorship application
- A Working Holiday Permit (WHP)
Why Does IRCC Require Digital Fingerprinting?
If IRCC requires digital fingerprinting, it is to ensure the accuracy of the background check conducted by the RCMP. This process guarantees that:
- Your identity is formally verified
- Your Canadian criminal record history is thoroughly reviewed
- Your immigration application complies with security requirements
If no match is found in the national database, the RCMP will issue a certificate confirming the absence of a criminal record.
📌 For more details on IRCC’s requirements, visit their official website: IRCC – Criminal Record Checks
Differences Between Digital Fingerprinting and a Police Certificate
When dealing with Immigration Canada, it is crucial not to confuse a digital fingerprinting request, a police certificate request, and the collection of biometric data. The table below provides a clear comparison to help you understand the differences.
| WHAT IRCC REQUIRES | WHAT IRCC AIMS TO OBTAIN | REQUIRED STEPS | PROCESSING TIME |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Fingerprinting | A certified Canadian criminal record check (processed by the RCMP through digital fingerprinting) | Book an appointment with an RCMP-accredited fingerprinting agency to have your fingerprints electronically submitted to the RCMP’s CCRTIS. | The RCMP will mail the results to IRCC, typically within 10 to 20 business days after fingerprint submission. |
| Police Certificate | A criminal record check from a foreign country (certified by the respective national authority, using an official fingerprint card with rolled fingerprints) | Book an appointment with a fingerprinting agency to have your rolled fingerprints taken (using ink or LiveScan) on an official fingerprint card. | The fingerprint card will be provided to you at the end of your appointment. (You must submit this card along with your police certificate application to the relevant foreign authority). |
| Biometric Data | The registration of your biometric data in the Immigration Canada database. | To provide your biometric data, you must visit a designated Service Canada office or follow the specific instructions provided by IRCC. | Visit the Immigration Canada website for more details on processing times. |
IMPORTANT: When Immigration Canada requests a “police certificate” for all countries where you have lived for more than six months—either within a specific period or since you turned 18—this never includes time spent in Canada up to the present. It is also crucial to distinguish our Canadian police certificate service from the foreign police certificate that IRCC may require. The latter can only be obtained by submitting your rolled fingerprints to the law enforcement authorities of the respective country.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
🚫 Selecting the Wrong Service: Always refer to the request letter provided by IRCC to ensure you are obtaining the correct service.
🚫 Rushing the Process: Conducting a Canadian criminal background check before IRCC has formally requested it (via an official letter) may delay the processing of your application.
🚫 Not Having the Required Documents: Make sure you have the official IRCC request letter and/or the appropriate fingerprinting form, depending on your situation.
Where to Get Your Digital Fingerprints Taken in Canada?
Only certain authorized organizations can capture digital fingerprints and electronically transmit them to the RCMP. Commissionnaires du Québec is one of the accredited providers offering this service, with offices across the province, including Montréal, Québec City, Trois-Rivières, and Saguenay.
Appointments can be scheduled exclusively through the link below.
MONTREAL OFFICE
Appointment required
1001 Sherbrooke St. East, Ground Floor,
Montreal, Quebec H2L 1L3
Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
QUEBEC CITY OFFICE
Appointment required
1170 Lebourgneuf Blvd, Suite 104,
Quebec City, Quebec G2K 2E3
Phone : 418 681-0609
Toll-Free : 877-765-9765
Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
TROIS-RIVIÈRES OFFICE
Appointment required
4720 Gene-H.-Kruger Blvd, Suite 108,
Trois-Rivières, QC G9A 4N1
Phone : 873 387-0582
Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
SAGUENAY OFFICE
Appointment required
268 Malraux St.,
Chicoutimi, Quebec G7H 6R9
Phone : 418 512-9996
Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Watch the video below for more details.
How Does the Digital Fingerprinting Process Work?
Steps of the Process:
- Quick and flexible appointment scheduling
- Presentation of an official ID
- Fingerprint scanning using a certified system
- Secure transmission to the RCMP
- RCMP report sent directly to you or IRCC
📌 What to Bring to Your Appointment:
- A valid ID (passport, driver’s license, resident card, etc.)
- The IRCC letter requesting fingerprint submission
- Payment for service fees
Choose Commissionnaires for Your Fingerprinting Needs!
If you have received a request from IRCC requiring you to undergo digital fingerprinting, don’t wait. Commissionnaires du Québec provides a fast, secure, and government-compliant service to assist you.
📅 Book your appointment today and move forward with confidence in your immigration process!