Brit Gov Introduces Biometric Data Collection in Visa Applications

AZERTAG

The embassy of the United Kingdom has changed visa application procedures. With effect from 11 December 2006, all visa applicants will have to attend the British Embassy in Baku in person and have their fingerscans taken at the time of submitting their application.

Fingerscans will be collected form each applicant by using an electronic scanner. No ink, liquid, or chemical will be used and the procedure will take no more than two minutes to complete.

Charge’ d’affaires of the embassy Colin Wells said introducing biometric data collection is designed to combat visa fraud and abuse of the UK’s immigration and asylum systems.

This method was successfully applied in the UK embassies in Netherlands, Belgium, Sri Lanka and a number of African countries. New procedure will have been applied in all the UK embassies and consulates by the end of 2007.

Brit Gov Introduces Biometric Data Collection in Visa Applications