IRCC Extends Biometric and Passport Submission Letter Validity for Bangladeshi Applicants Amid High Demand
June 21, 2025 – Dhaka:
In response to an overwhelming demand for appointments at Visa Application Centres (VACs) in Bangladesh, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a temporary extension of the validity period for Biometric Instruction Letters (BILs) and Passport Submission Letters.
According to a statement issued on Friday by a VFS Global spokesperson, applicants in Bangladesh will now benefit from an additional 30 days beyond the original expiry date mentioned in their BIL or Passport Request Letter. This extension aims to accommodate applicants who are facing challenges in scheduling appointments due to the current backlog at VACs.
“This temporary measure is intended to assist applicants impacted by the unprecedented surge in appointment requests,” said the VFS spokesperson. “The validity of IRCC’s Biometric Instruction Letters and Passport Submission Letters has been automatically extended by 30 days from their stated expiration dates.”
Applicants are advised to use this extended window to schedule appointments for biometric enrollment or passport submission at the VACs. However, those who are still unable to secure a slot or submit their documents within the extended timeframe should contact IRCC directly to request a new BIL or Passport Submission Letter.
The extension comes as a relief to many Bangladeshi applicants seeking to complete the visa process for Canada, including students, workers, and travelers, who have been affected by limited appointment availability.
VFS Global, the authorized service provider managing the visa processing services on behalf of the Government of Canada in Bangladesh, continues to work closely with IRCC to expand capacity and reduce wait times.
Key Points:
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Biometric and Passport Submission Letters issued by IRCC are now valid for 30 days beyond their original expiry.
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The extension applies automatically—no additional steps are required from applicants.
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Those unable to meet the extended deadline should contact IRCC for reissuance.
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The move addresses the appointment shortage at VACs in Bangladesh.
