Month: September 2023

This is a guide on how to book for Canada biometrics in Kenya. The process involves some specific steps to be followed. Canada requires certain visa applicants to provide biometrics (fingerprints and photographs).

Before you book for Canada Biometrics in Kenya however, make sure you have filed the visa application forms and paid any necessary visa fees. I have provided a complete guide on how to apply for a Canadian Visa and make payment.

Steps to Follow to Book for Canada Biometrics in Kenya

Here are the steps to book a biometrics appointment for a Canadian visa application from Kenya. But first, retrieve your Biometric Instruction Letter from the IRCC website. You will use it to book for Canada Biometrics in Kenya

Log in to the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website to access your Biometric Instruction Letter. This is in case you have applied for a Canadian visa and have been requested to provide biometrics. Here are the general steps:

1. Visit the IRCC Website: Go to the official IRCC website at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html.
2. Log in to Your Account, the one you used for the main visa application.
3. Access Your Application: Once you’ve logged in, you should be able to access your visa application. Click on the section indicating that you have a new message.
4. The full application status will open. Read through the various stages and you will encounter an area saying that your biometrics are required.
5. Below that section is your Biometrics Instruction Letter. Download and print the letter as you will need it during the appointment date. The letter contains important details such as your IRCC Number, the deadline for completing your biometrics and the location of the Visa Application Centre (VAC) where you need to go.

Access VFS Global to Book for Canada Biometrics in Kenya

VFS Global is one of the service providers used by Canada to facilitate the biometrics collection process for visa applicants. Here are the general steps to follow to access VFS Global and book a biometrics appointment for Canada from Kenya.

1. Visit the VFS Global Website: Click on visas, eVisas and Permits tab. Select the country you are applying from and the one you are visiting. Click on take me to the website.
2. Select the option of booking an appointment.
3. Select your preferred method of booking your appointment and click View More.

There are Five Main Methods you can use to book Your Canada Biometrics

1. Online – The link will redirect you to an Appointment Login screen which enables you to: 

• Schedule an appointment
• Re-schedule an appointment
• Cancel an appointment

You’ll have to follow the instructions mentioned on the page to create your own login credentials and schedule an appointment.

2. Telephone – If you wish to schedule an appointment via phone, you can do so by calling the helpline number 0800720214. A contact centre agent will be available to assist you in scheduling, rescheduling, or cancelling an appointment.

3. Email – If you wish to schedule an appointment via email, you can do so by using the web form.

4. Web Chat – If you wish to schedule an appointment, you can do so by clicking the Chat Now link. A contact centre agent will be available to assist you in scheduling, rescheduling or cancelling an appointment.

6. In Person – You can walk into the Canada Visa Application Centre during stipulated business hours to request this service and also schedule an appointment using the self-service method.

How to Book for Canada Biometrics in Kenya Using Online Option

1. Click on the View More option to access the online booking option.
2. Click on Create Account. Remember to activate your account using a link that will be sent to your email.
3. Log into the VFS site and select the visa centre you wish to attend.
4. Add the applicant(s) before proceeding to book your desired date of Biometrics for your Canadian Visa.

What you need to bring with you during the appointment:

When you present yourself at the biometric collection service point of your choice, you must bring the following:

• a copy of the Biometric Instruction Letter, and
• the passport or travel document that you referenced in your application.

A Note About Emergency Biometric Appointments:

The criteria for an emergency biometric appointment are as follows:

• Death of an immediate family member residing in Canada
• Critically ill immediate family member residing in Canada

An immediate family member is defined as a

• spouse or common-law partner
• dependent child
• dependent child of a dependent child
• parent or step-parent
• guardian or tutor

Applicants requesting emergency appointments for the purpose of biometric collection must provide proof of emergency (any one of the following) at the time of attending an appointment at the VAC

• Death/Medical Certificate
• Letter from Medical Officer/Unit
• Letter from Funeral Home

Please note the VAC will report all applicants to IRCC who do not present the required proof of emergency at the time of attending an emergency appointment at the VAC. IRCC may take this into consideration when reviewing the application.

An emergency biometric appointment does not affect IRCC’s processing times for the application or the outcome.

Please note that emergency biometric appointments cannot be scheduled using the online appointment system. To schedule an emergency biometric appointment, please do so by calling the VAC Contact Centre or by visiting the VAC in person.

A printed circuit board (PCB) is a critical component in many electronic devices. It serves as a platform for connecting and supporting electronic components like integrated circuits (ICs), resistors, capacitors, and connectors.

PCBs provide a physical structure and electrical connections for these components. This allows them to work together to perform various functions in electronic devices. A good example is a computer motherboard.

Here are Some Key Points About Printed Circuit Boards:

1. Basic Structure of the Printed Circuit Board

PCBs are typically made of a non-conductive substrate material (usually fibreglass-reinforced epoxy) with a thin layer of copper foil bonded to one or both sides. The copper foil is used to create the conductive pathways, also known as traces or tracks, that carry electrical signals between components.

2. Components: 

Electronic components are soldered onto the PCB. These components can include microchips, transistors, diodes, capacitors, resistors, connectors, and more.

3. Layers

PCBs can have multiple layers of copper traces, with each layer separated by insulating material. Multi-layer PCBs are used in complex electronic devices to accommodate more components and intricate circuitry.

4. Solder Mask

A solder mask is a protective layer applied to the PCB to cover and insulate the copper traces, preventing accidental short circuits and oxidation. It is typically green, but it can come in various colours.

5. Silkscreen

PCBs often have a silkscreen layer, which is a layer of ink containing labels, symbols, and other markings that help with component placement and identification.

6. Through-Hole vs. Surface Mount

PCBs can support through-hole components (components with wire leads that pass through holes in the board) or surface-mount components (components soldered directly to the board’s surface).

7. Manufacturing of Printed Circuit Board

PCBs are manufactured through a process that involves designing the PCB layout using specialized software, fabricating the board itself (which includes etching the copper traces and adding layers), and populating it with electronic components using automated or manual assembly methods.

8. Applications

PCBs are used in a wide range of electronic devices, from simple items like calculators and remote controls to complex systems like smartphones, computers, medical equipment, and aerospace systems.

9. Customization

PCBs can be customized for specific applications. Designers can create unique circuit layouts and choose materials that meet the requirements of the device.

10. Testing

PCBs undergo rigorous testing to ensure they function correctly. This includes electrical testing, functional testing, and quality control checks.

PCBs are a fundamental technology in modern electronics, enabling the miniaturization and functionality of electronic devices we use in our daily lives. They have evolved significantly over the years, becoming more complex and capable as electronic devices have become more sophisticated.

How the Printed Circuit Board is Made

The manufacturing of printed circuit boards (PCBs) involves several steps, from designing the circuit layout to producing the final board. Here’s an overview of the PCB manufacturing process:

• Design: The process begins with the design of the PCB. Engineers and designers use specialized PCB design software to create a digital representation of the circuit board. This includes specifying the placement of components, the routing of traces, and defining any necessary layers for multi-layer boards.
• Schematic Capture: Before creating the PCB layout, a schematic diagram is typically drawn to represent the electrical connections and components in the circuit. This schematic serves as a blueprint for the PCB layout.
• PCB Layout: Using the PCB design software, designers create the physical layout of the circuit board. This includes placing components on the board, routing traces to connect the components as per the schematic, and adding necessary features like drill holes, vias, and fiducial marks.
• Gerber Files: Once the PCB design is complete, the next step is to generate Gerber files. Gerber files contain all the information needed to manufacture the PCB, including layer information, trace widths, component placement, and more. These files are used by PCB manufacturers to fabricate the board.
• Material Selection: PCB materials are typically composed of fiberglass-reinforced epoxy laminates with copper foil bonded to one or both sides. The type of laminate material and copper thickness are chosen based on the specific requirements of the circuit.
• Layer Preparation: For multi-layer PCBs, the individual layers of the board are prepared. This involves cutting and drilling the substrate material to the required size and creating copper layers with the desired traces using photolithography.
• Layer Alignment and Bonding: In the case of multi-layer boards, the individual layers are aligned and bonded together using heat and pressure. Special prepreg material, which is a resin-soaked fibreglass fabric, is used to facilitate bonding between layers.
• Copper Etching: A chemical etching process is used to remove excess copper from the board, leaving behind the desired copper traces. A protective layer called the solder mask is applied to cover the traces and prevent unintended connections.
• Drilling: Holes are drilled in the board to create vias (plated through-holes) for making connections between different layers and to accommodate components with leads that pass through the board (through-hole components).
• Plating: Vias and other exposed copper surfaces are plated with a thin layer of metal, typically copper, to improve conductivity and ensure proper electrical connections.
• Solder Mask Application: A solder mask is applied to the board to insulate the copper traces, preventing unintentional short circuits and protecting the board from environmental factors.
• Silkscreen Printing: The silkscreen layer, which includes labels, component outlines, and other markings, is printed onto the board to aid in component placement and identification.
• Component Assembly: Electronic components are placed on the board using automated pick-and-place machines or manual assembly, depending on the complexity of the PCB.
• Soldering: The components are soldered onto the board to establish electrical connections. This can be done through reflow soldering for surface-mount components or wave soldering for through-hole components.
• Inspection and Testing: The assembled PCBs undergo visual inspection and various tests to ensure quality and functionality. This includes electrical testing, functional testing, and other quality control checks.
• Final Inspection and Packaging: Once the PCBs pass all tests and inspections, they are cleaned, inspected again, and then prepared for packaging and shipment to the end-user or the manufacturer of the electronic device.

Each of these steps is critical in ensuring the successful production of a functional PCB that meets the specifications of the intended electronic device. PCB manufacturing can be highly automated for large-scale production or customized for unique and specialized applications.