Canada Expands Biometrics Services to Labrador Location

Federal biometrics collection services will expand to Happy Valley-Goose Bay in Labrador in early 2027, giving immigration applicants in the region a second location in Newfoundland and Labrador to provide fingerprints and photographs required for applications.

The expansion was announced after federal Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Lena Metlege Diab met with provincial Minister Lin Paddock in St. John’s, according to government information released on Oct. 7, 2026.

Biometrics are used to confirm an applicant’s identity and help assess immigration applications, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada information cited by the provincial government. Until the new site opens, applicants in the province have had to use the existing collection location in St. John’s.

The provincial government said the Happy Valley-Goose Bay location was selected after identifying a geographic need to improve access for Labrador residents. The new site is expected to reduce travel demands for newcomers, workers, students and families who need the service.

"The service will allow people living in the region to more easily fulfill this important immigration requirement," the provincial government release said.

The expansion followed provincial advocacy for increased federal biometrics capacity, according to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. Biometrics services are delivered through designated Service Canada locations.

"Providing biometrics services in Labrador will make an important immigration service more accessible to people living and working in the region. Reducing the need to travel to St. John’s for this service will help address a significant geographic barrier for newcomers, workers and families. We are pleased that our advocacy has helped expand service options and improve access to immigration services in our province," said Lin Paddock, Minister.

Paddock said the new service location addresses challenges created by Labrador’s distance from other government services. The provincial government described the change as an improvement in access to immigration-related services.

"Labrador’s distance from many government services can create challenges for residents, employers and newcomers alike. The addition of biometrics collection services in Happy Valley-Goose Bay is a practical improvement that will save individuals time and money while making immigration services more accessible. We welcome this investment and thank our federal partners for responding to the needs of Labrador communities and helping us attract and retain newcomers throughout the region," said Lela Evans, Labrador Affairs Minister.

Federal Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Lena Metlege Diab connected the move with broader efforts to make government services more accessible, including expanded passport services in Atlantic Canada and online passport renewal.

"With the establishment of biometrics collection services in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, residents of Labrador will soon be able to avoid unnecessary travel, saving them time and money. This comes at a time when we are improving accessibility across the country—including through expanded passport services in Atlantic Canada and the recent launch of online passport renewal. The Government of Canada will continue to work to make life more convenient by providing important services closer to the people who rely on them," said Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.

The new collection site will provide Labrador residents with local access to a federal immigration requirement. The service is scheduled to begin operating in Happy Valley-Goose Bay early in 2027.

"This is an important step forward for Labrador. Bringing biometrics services to Happy Valley-Goose Bay means residents will no longer have to leave Labrador to access this essential service. It will save people time and money, reduce unnecessary travel, and make an important federal service more accessible to the people of Labrador," said Philip Earle, Labrador MP.