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Basseterre (12 August 2019) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pleased to announce that Canadian officials will be in the Federation during the week of the 26th of August to carry out biometric processing for persons wishing to obtain visas to travel to Canada. Nationals and residents are reminded that nationals from countries in the Americas, including the Caribbean, must provide biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) when applying for a Canadian visitor visa, study, work or temporary residence permit or for permanent residence.

Since Canada introduced biometrics collection as part of its travel security framework, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its High Commission in Canada, has been working with the Government of Canada to devise ways to ease this process for nationals of St. Kitts and Nevis. After extensive bilateral discussions, the Ministry is pleased with Canada’s positive response to our outreach and the decision to carry out a biometrics collection program here in the Federation.

On learning of this development, Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Hon. Mark Brantley, expressed his appreciation. “I am pleased that through our diligent efforts, St. Kitts and Nevis has made significant progress on the diplomatic front. Canada has agreed to send a team here to collect biometrics for all wishing to get visas to travel to Canada rather than requiring persons to travel to Barbados or Trinidad. I place on record my congratulations to High Commissioner Sherry Tross and her team for their work on this.”

Nationals who may be planning to travel to Canada for study, business, tourism, family reunions, or other reasons are urged to complete their online visa application as soon as possible in order to take advantage of this opportunity.

This exercise is geared towards the following individuals:

1. Nationals of biometric-required countries residing in the Federation, 
2. Nationals and residents who anticipate travel to Canada,
3. Persons who have already applied either online or by mail for a visa, work or study permit or for permanent residence.

All applicants will be required to bring their Biometrics Instruction letter with them in order to have their biometrics taken.

The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis extends appreciation to the Government of Canada for this demonstration of bilateral cooperation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will keep the public apprised of any additional information.