29/11/2007

Biometric testing to be phased in

By April 2008 all visa applicants over five years old will be required to supply biometric data before they are issued with visas to travel to the UK. Roll out has already been taking place on a country-by-country basis.

Biometric data consists of 10-digit finger scans, and a ‘digital photograph’, and is a key part of the government’s Strategy for Asylum and Immigration (‘Controlling our borders: making migration work for Britain’), which was published in February 2005. Biometric collection is intended to reduce identity theft, visa fraud and the associated problems of organised crime and terrorism by checking the information received against UK records.

Anyone over five years old who is required to apply for a visa will have to provide biometric data. Refusal to undergo biometric tests will mean that an application will not be accepted. All visa applicants must now attend in person at the relevant (often outsourced) location overseas while applying for a visa. This will usually involve making an appointment and despite assurances that biometric testing will not delay visa applications, a lack of available appointment times (resulting in severe delays) have been noted. Applications made entirely by post or by courier will no longer be possible; all will now be required to attend a testing centre in person. At the moment biometric testing is used in more than 111 countries.

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