The British High Commission in New Delhi and its consulates across India will introduce biometric visas from Dec 12.
Applicants for a British visa will be required to visit a visa application centre, operated by UK visas’ commercial partner, VFS Global, where trained staff will take finger scans and a digital photograph as part of the biometric data collection process.
The procedure will take less than five minutes and there will be no additional visa application charges.
‘We are pleased to announce that the introduction of biometrics to India allows UK visas to reintroduce longer-term visas to the UK,’ a statement from the high commission said here.
‘Since it will be necessary to provide biometric data each time an application is made for a UK visa, we encourage regular travellers to the UK to consider the convenience of applying for our longer-term visa’, it added.
To incorporate the new changes, do the necessary technical upgrades and impart staff training, all visa sections of the British High Commission and consulates will be closed Dec 7-Dec 11.
The UK visa application centres are in 12 convenient locations across India: Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Kochi, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Kolkata, Mumbai (north and south) and Pune. Source: IANS
