Biometrics Programme
From SR
Background
The Home Office, Foreign and Commonwealth Office and UKvisas Biometric programme was established in 2005 to develop a fast, effective and comprehensive biometrically enabled visa system and deliver a secure and integrated overseas immigration control. Biometric visa operations will be introduced in all 135 countries where UKvisas operates by 2008 and cover over 2.5 million applicants.
Fingerscans
The British Government is introducing biometrics data collection (fingerscans) as part of a worldwide biometrics identification process, designed to protect an individual’s identity, facilitate future entry to the UK, combat visa fraud and abuse of the UK’s immigration and asylum systems. The UKvisas Biometrics Programme has already begun to introduce biometric checks incrementally for all qualifying visa nationals. Fingerprints are stored in and routinely matched against the Immigration and Asylum Fingerprint Service database.
Purpose
The collection of biometric data at first contact with an applicants overseas will facilitate embarkation and border control checks at later points in their journey, providing further assurance that travel and entry to the UK is restricted to the individual who was granted entry clearance. Preventing unlawful travel will reduce the incidence of unfounded asylum claims with consequential savings in support, enforcement and removals costs.
