UK IMMIGRATION NEWS

New UK biometric deal signed

Wednesday, 15 July 2009

A new 7 year contract has just been signed with IBM to provide key elements of the UK government’s upgrade of UK biometric passports.

Intended to assist in enhancing border security, IBM has also been contracted to provide a replacement for the UK Border Agency (UKBA)'s Immigration & Asylum Fingerprint System (IAFS) that holds visa applicant's biometric details.

Valued at £265, the contract will cover both UKBA fingerprinting capabilities and running the database that will store facial images and fingerprints needed to keep UK passports in line with current and future international standards.

The next generation of biometric passports housing chips with facial images and fingerprints will be issued from 2011. At this point, UK nationals will also be eligible to apply for national identity cards - a scheme currently being trialled on temporary visa holders.

Chief Executive of the Identify & Passport Service (IPS), Mr James Hall said:

"This contract will provide a secure database for storing facial and fingerprint images for the next generation of biometric passports and will support the delivery of the National Identity card. The British passport is already one of the most secure in the world, and it is vital we maintain that strength by moving with the rest of the international community. That is why... we are introducing fingerprint and facial biometric technology to the passport."

If you are interested in UK Visas, contact Migration Expert for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you. You can also try our visa eligibility assessment to see if you are eligible to apply for a visa to the UK.