UK IMMIGRATION NEWS

Biometric security for visa application from Canada

Wednesday, 21 November 2007

The UK has announced new biometric visa requirements for all visa applicants from Canada.

Starting on November 29, the British High Commission will require all UK visa applicants from Canada to include biometric data, such as digital fingerprint scans, along with their visa application. Applicants will now have to make an appointment for an in-person visit to a biometric data collection centre in one of five Canadian cities: Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver Edmonton or Halifax.

The move towards biometric secured visas mirrors requirements that the UK has already placed on other countries.

Applicant’s fingerprints will be checked again existing UK immigration databases to check for applicants who have previously violated a UK visa or have another security violation. The data may be shared with security agencies.

The UK expected to roll out full biometric security for all UK visas by 2008.