Biometric enabled Primary Inspection Kiosks now available at Ottawa International Airport

#Canada BorderServicesAgency; #OttawaInternationalAirportAuthority; #ShawnHoag
#biometricallyenrolled; #foreignnationals; #permanentresidents; #PrimaryInspectionKiosks;  

Ottawa, Apr 5 (Canadian-Media): An announcement was made jointly by The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Ottawa International Airport Authority (OIAA) that fingerprint verification for biometrically enrolled foreign nationals and permanent residents are being implemented by Ottawa International Airport (OIA)  using Primary Inspection Kiosks (PIK), media reports said.

​Use of using fingerprint verification technology is being done by the Government of Canada through its tool: PIK which  establishes that the identity of a person seeking entry into Canada is the same as the person that had issued their visa, permit or permanent residence documentation.

​Biometric-enabled PIK, the next generation technology that offer self-service options for international air travellers arriving in Canada and it is hoped that by the end of 2019, PIK would be available in all major Canadian airports.

There are at present 21 PIK at OIA both strengthen border security and simplify the border experience.

Fingerprint verification at Primary Inspection Kiosks now available at Ottawa International Airporthttps://t.co/xD0rVBQKZc pic.twitter.com/DRK90Ku4gm

— Border Services NOR (@cbsanor) April 5, 2019

“The expansion of primary inspection kiosks to include biometric processing is another example of the CBSA working to enhance border security while also streamlining the traveller experience...reliable method of identification,” said Shawn Hoag, Regional Director General, CBSA Northern Ontario Region.

​Biometric-enabled PIK prevents individuals from using a stolen, borrowed, or altered visa or permit on their attempt to enter Canada and strengthens border security while also simplifying the border experience.

Completion of fingerprint verification procedure is not required by Canadian citizens, citizenship applicants, as well as U.S. citizens  while seeking entry to Canada.

All temporary resident visa, work permit, study permit, and temporary resident permit applicants (excluding U.S. Citizens) and all permanent resident applicants are required to provide biometrics (fingerprints and digital photograph) when submitting an application to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or to the CBSA.