Canada: Biometrics Waived for Certain FIFA-Invited Visitors for 2026 World Cup
February 18, 2026
The government of Canada has announced a second temporary public policy to facilitate travel for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, this time exempting certain FIFA-invited foreign nationals from the biometric requirement when applying for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) to travel to Canada. This follows an earlier public policy introducing work permit exemptions for eligible FIFA-invited foreign nationals. Under the new measure, foreign nationals who apply for a TRV between November 25, 2025 and July 20, 2026, hold a valid letter of invitation from FIFA and are otherwise admissible to Canada, may be exempt from providing biometrics. As biometrics require a personal appearance at a collection point and appointments can take time to secure, the exemption is expected to ease processing timelines for eligible applicants. The policy applied to both new and pending applications as of November 25, 2025. It will remain in force until July 20, 2026, unless revoked earlier.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
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