The Canadian government is now requiring nationals of 29 countries and one territory to provide fingerprints and a photograph in order to enter Canada to visit, study or work, under regulations proposed by Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney.

The Canadian government wants to collect biometric information to ensure travel to Canada is legitimate.

Beginning in 2013, people from the following countries and territory must provide fingerprints and photograph when they apply for visitor visas, study permits or work permits: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Burma (Myanmar), Cambodia, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestinian Authority, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Vietnam and Yemen. Many of these countries already collect biometric information for national documents.

The biometric data on file will be compared with data collected at the time of entry to ensure the individual approved to enter the country is actually doing the traveling.

This initiative will bring Canada on par with many other countries that use biometrics in immigration and border management.