A1+

APPLICATIONS FOR A UNITED KINGDOM VISA IN ARMENIA:
BIOMETRIC FINGERSCANS
[03:14 pm] 24 November, 2006

From 1 December 2006 the British Embassy in Yerevan
is introducing biometric data collection
(fingerscans). This is part of a world-wide biometric
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. With effect from 1
December 2006 all visa applicants, irrespective of
nationality, will have to apply in person at the
British Embassy in Yerevan and have their fingerscans
taken.

All visa applicants must have their fingerscans taken,
with the exception of children under the age of five.
An exception may also be granted to applicants, who
for genuine medical reasons cannot provide
fingerscans. The following categories of applicant are
also exempted from providing their fingerscans:

– Holders of Diplomatic passports and accompanying
dependants travelling on official government business.

– Holders of Official passports who are travelling on
official government business in the United Kingdom.

– United Nations officials holding UN Travel Documents
who are travelling on official UN business.

– Commonwealth and NATO armed forces personnel posted
for service in the UK

– Holders of a certificate of entitlement confirming
right of abode in the United Kingdom.

Fingerscans will be collected from each applicant by
using an electronic scanner. No ink, liquid or
chemical will be used and the procedure will take no
more than two minutes to complete.

If an applicant refuses to provide fingerscans, the
application cannot be processed.

All applicants should ensure that their fingertips are
free from any forms of decoration (henna, for
example), abrasions or other markings prior to
attending the British Embassy as these may affect
their ability to provide acceptable fingerscans.

Visa applications cannot be processed until applicants
are able to provide acceptable fingerscans.