IRCC requests, citizenship and permanent residence

Immigration & Citizenship

For individuals who have received a fingerprint request from IRCC or who require fingerprints for an eligible immigration or citizenship purpose.

Application types covered

Canadian Citizenship
Landed Immigrant Status

Permanent residence applicants: Do not obtain an RCMP fingerprint-based criminal record check unless IRCC has sent you a letter instructing you to do so. Bring the IRCC letter and application number to your appointment. This is not the same thing as IRCC biometric enrolment. Biometrics — your fingerprints and photograph taken as a routine step in most visa, study, work and permanent residence applications — are collected only at an official biometric collection site, such as a Service Canada office, a visa application centre or an application support centre, and are paid for through the IRCC biometrics fee. Acuity cannot provide biometric enrolment; we capture and submit fingerprints for a certified criminal record check, which IRCC requests separately and in writing.

The federal fee for this purpose

Canadian citizenship and immigration to Canada are generally exempt from the $25 RCMP federal fee, so you would pay the $60 service fee only.

The federal fee is set by the RCMP, not by Acuity, and is passed through at cost. GST does not apply to the service fee. We confirm the fee that applies to you against your request letter before your appointment.

See the full fee breakdown

What to bring

Two pieces of valid, original government-issued identification
At least one identification document containing a photograph
Your fingerprint request letter, instructions or file number
Name and address of the organization receiving the result

See the full checklist

Processing times

Processing times are set by the RCMP, not by Acuity. Where fingerprints do not match a criminal record, processing may take three business days or less. Applications requiring manual processing, or involving a possible match, may take approximately 120 business days. Mailing time is additional. Acuity Fingerprint Solutions does not control processing or delivery times.

Note — These processing times apply only to the RCMP criminal-record-check component. They do not include mailing time or processing by IRCC, the Parole Board of Canada, a foreign government, an employer, a licensing body or another requesting organization.

Official guidance

Requirements are set by the organization that asked for your fingerprints and can change without notice. Where their letter or instructions differ from anything on this page, follow their instructions, and bring the letter to your appointment so we can submit the transaction the way they need it.

These links open official government websites, which Acuity does not operate or control.

Acuity Fingerprint Solutions Inc. is an RCMP-accredited affiliate fingerprinting company. Electronic fingerprint transactions are securely submitted to CCRTIS through an RCMP-accredited Direct Connect agency.

Questions

Immigration & Citizenship — frequently asked

The questions we are asked most often about this application type. Where your request letter says something different, follow the letter and bring it with you.

Do I need my IRCC letter to attend?

For permanent residence, yes — do not obtain an RCMP fingerprint-based criminal record check unless IRCC has written to you asking for one, and bring that letter and your application number to the appointment. It tells us which application type to submit under and where the result has to go.

Is the $25 RCMP fee charged for citizenship or permanent residence?

Canadian citizenship and immigration to Canada are generally exempt from the $25 RCMP federal fee, so you would pay the $60 Acuity service fee only.

Can you do IRCC biometric enrolment?

No. IRCC biometrics (photograph and fingerprints for immigration biometric enrolment) are collected only at designated biometric collection service points. That is a different process from the fingerprint-based criminal record check we provide.

I am applying for permanent residence. Should I book now?

Generally you should apply only after receiving written instructions from IRCC telling you that fingerprints are required. Booking beforehand can result in a submission that does not match what IRCC needs. If you are unsure, call us with the correspondence in front of you.

Will my result be sent to me or to the organization?

That depends on your application type and the instructions from the requesting organization. Bring the recipient name and mailing address to your appointment so the submission is directed correctly.