Biometric data to be made must to fly to UK

HYDERABAD: Biometric data collection will be introduced as part of the United Kingdom (UK) visa application process in India from December 12.
"This is part of the UK government's policy to introduce biometric data collection world-wide by early 2008. India is one of the last countries to be brought under this programme that has already been introduced in around 130 countries," said Dan Chugg, director, press and communications of the British High Commission on Wednesday.
Once the policy is implemented, all visa applicants in India have to visit a designated collection point in person to provide ten-finger scans and a digital photograph. According to the British High Commission, the process is entirely electronic and will not take more than five minutes. There will be no additional cost for this registration.
According to Chugg, the biometric data will make it easy for the UK government to identify customers and protect them from identity fraud. "It will be necessary to provide biometric data each time an application is made. We therefore encourage frequent travellers to apply for a longer term and for multiple-entry visas. Unfortunately, from Dec. 12, applications will take longer than usual to be processed and applicants should take this into account when planning their journey," Chugg said.