Biometrics

Biometrics are an integral part of the UK's secure border control, helping to protect the UK against illegal immigration, crime, terrorism, and individuals against identity fraud.

All visa applicants, irrespective of nationality, who apply for a UKBorder Agency will be required to attend in person to provide a ten-finger scan and a digital photograph as part of the UKBorder Agency application process. The digital photography and electronic finger scan procedure is quick, discreet, straightforward and entirely safe. Providing biometric data became a legal requirement for all UKBorder Agency applicants under the provision of the Immigration (Provision of Physical Data) Regulation 2006 which came into force on 4th July, 2006.

The biometric data collected will be stored on a database in the UK and held strictly in accordance with United Kingdom legislation, including the Data Protection Act 1998.

The recording of biometric data is a quick part of the overall application process, taking on average no more than five minutes to record finger scans and take a digital photograph. It is an entirely electronic process (no ink or other chemicals involved in the finger scanning process).

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IMPORTANT

Please note that in case your fingers are coloured with henna, bandaged you will not be able to give your biometric enrolment. In such cases you will need to come and submit your application after the colouring, bandage has been removed.

Children under 16 will have to be accompanied by their parent / guardian for the biometric enrolment.