NEWS
Biometrics, online appointments to be required for visas, consular services
23 Feb 15
UNITED KINGDOM, INDIA
IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? The High Commission of India in London has announced that it will require biometric data capture for visas and other consular services beginning in March.
What does the change mean? Anyone applying for Indian visas or other consular services in the U.K. will be required to book appointments online before submitting applications and appearing in person to have biometrics taken. Once the change is implemented, applicants showing up at visa centers without an appointment may be turned away.
- Implementation timeframe: The changes will be implemented in March. Exact dates are not yet confirmed.
- Visas/permits affected: Indian visas, passports, OCI cards and other consular services.
- Who is affected: Anyone needing any of the above services.
- Impact on processing times: Indian authorities are hoping that the online appointment system will save time in the application process. However, it is possible that applicants will experience delays as the program is implemented.
- Next Steps: BAL will continue to monitor the rollout of the biometrics program and will provide updates accordingly.
Background: The changes are part of India’s Immigration, Visa and Foreigners’ Registration and Tracking (IVFRT) program. As part of the program, India will make biometric data collection (fingerprint data and facial imagery) mandatory for all visa applicants. Mandatory biometrics have already been implemented in Australia, Malaysia and the Netherlands, among other countries.
In the U.K., the program will be launched at 14 visa centers, including three in London, in March. Once the program is operating, walk-in appointments will not be accepted. Exceptions will be made for medical emergencies, however. Diplomatic and official passport holders traveling on official business are also exempt and should submit their applications directly at the High Commission of India in London or the Consulates General of India in Birmingham and Edinburgh.
BAL Analysis: Once the mandatory biometrics program is implemented, applicants will be required first to apply online and then appear in person, by appointment, at a visa center. Walk-ins may be turned away. BAL will provide more information about the rollout when dates can be confirmed. Contact your BAL representative if you have questions about the program.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group in the United Kingdom. For additional information, please contact uk@balglobal.com.
Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@balglobal.com.
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UNITED KINGDOM 19 Jan 16
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China begins issuing 2-year multiple-entry visas to UK...
CHINA, UNITED KINGDOM 14 Jan 16
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UK set to implement visa agreement with China
CHINA, UNITED KINGDOM 7 Jan 16
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UK health authority seeks expansion of foreigners’ health...
UNITED KINGDOM 6 Jan 16
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The year ahead: Immigration trends to look for...
AUSTRALIA, BRAZIL, CANADA, SWITZERLAND, CHINA, EUROPEAN UNION, UNITED KINGDOM, GLOBAL, SINGAPORE, UNITED STATES, SOUTH AFRICA 6 Jan 16
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New rules, higher minimum salaries set for Tier...
UNITED KINGDOM 7 Dec 15
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Global Entry program opens to UK citizens
UNITED KINGDOM, UNITED STATES 3 Dec 15
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New scam targets sponsors
UNITED KINGDOM 11 Nov 15
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EEA nationals must prove residency to get citizenship
UNITED KINGDOM 10 Nov 15
-
Offices to close for Diwali
GLOBAL, INDIA, SINGAPORE 9 Nov 15
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UK citizens to be eligible for Global Entry...
UNITED KINGDOM, UNITED STATES 3 Nov 15
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Migration committee recommends changes to entrepreneur visa program
UNITED KINGDOM 2 Nov 15
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Significant delays reported at South Africa’s Indian missions
INDIA, SOUTH AFRICA 30 Oct 15
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UK to launch longer-validity Chinese visitor visas
UNITED KINGDOM 29 Oct 15
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Tech jobs added to Tier 2 Shortage Occupation...
UNITED KINGDOM 29 Oct 15
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Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) to consider broader range...
UNITED KINGDOM 26 Oct 15
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Mandatory right-to-rent checks to be rolled out across...
UNITED KINGDOM 23 Oct 15
-
Mobile biometrics service proposed for Qatar, Saudi Arabia,...
UNITED KINGDOM 22 Oct 15
-
Business Select program unveiled for UAE companies
UNITED KINGDOM 22 Oct 15
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Registered Traveller service expanded to more airports
UNITED KINGDOM 16 Oct 15
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Nurses added to shortage occupation list, putting pressure...
UNITED KINGDOM 15 Oct 15
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BAL and IBA submit Tier 2 recommendations to...
UNITED KINGDOM 28 Sep 15
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Changes adopted to alleviate Tier 2 allocations
UNITED KINGDOM 21 Sep 15
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Monthly Tier 2 quotas reached, but demand slowing...
UNITED KINGDOM 16 Sep 15
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PIO to OCI Card conversion extended to March...
INDIA 15 Sep 15
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Deadline nears for comments on skilled migration
UNITED KINGDOM 11 Sep 15
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Legal environment for migrants set to get tougher
UNITED KINGDOM 9 Sep 15
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Changes to salary ranges aim to increase Tier...
UNITED KINGDOM 4 Sep 15
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Expanded 24-hour visa service coming in New York
UNITED KINGDOM 14 Aug 15
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Quota for Tier 2 restricted work visas exceeded...
UNITED KINGDOM 13 Aug 15
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Migration Advisory Committee releases report on Tier 2...
UNITED KINGDOM 13 Aug 15
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Indian consulate drops bank-statement requirement for most business...
INDIA, UNITED STATES 10 Aug 15
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India adds 36 countries to e-Tourist visa program
INDIA 10 Aug 15
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China added to India’s e-Tourist Visa program
CHINA, INDIA 31 Jul 15
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Police clearance requirements to begin Sept. 1
UNITED KINGDOM 31 Jul 15
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Scammers posing as Home Office officials are targeting...
UNITED KINGDOM 22 Jul 15
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July quota exceeded for Tier 2 restricted work...
UNITED KINGDOM 16 Jul 15
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Work restrictions on foreign students coming soon
UNITED KINGDOM 14 Jul 15
-
Indian consulate adds new documentation requirements for business...
INDIA, UNITED STATES 13 Jul 15
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PIO card holders advised to convert to OCI...
INDIA 30 Jun 15
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BAL designation gives employees flexible option to pick...
UNITED KINGDOM 29 Jun 15
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394 RCoS will be added to July quota
UNITED KINGDOM 19 Jun 15
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June quota exhausted for employers sponsoring restricted Tier...
UNITED KINGDOM 11 Jun 15
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U.S. visa applicants now covered by new procedures...
UNITED KINGDOM 1 Jun 15
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New government proposes tough immigration bill
UNITED KINGDOM 27 May 15
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UK to roll out biometric residence permits for...
UNITED KINGDOM 13 May 15
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Election win gives Conservatives mandate on migration policies
UNITED KINGDOM 12 May 15
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India adds countries to e-Tourist visa program
INDIA 1 May 15
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Brazilian Consulate in London suspends services
UNITED KINGDOM 15 Apr 15
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Indian embassies requiring PIO-OCI card conversions
INDIA 14 Apr 15
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U.K. grapples with backlog of biometrics data
UNITED KINGDOM 10 Apr 15
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Biometrics required for children under 5 applying for...
UNITED KINGDOM 6 Apr 15
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Mumbai imposes new processes to deter late applications...
INDIA 31 Mar 15
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China adds new proof requirement for business visa...
CHINA, UNITED KINGDOM 27 Mar 15
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PIO card holders required to obtain OCI cards...
INDIA 23 Mar 15
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Immigration health surcharge to take effect April 6
UNITED KINGDOM 20 Mar 15
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Overhaul of UK visitor rules set for April...
UNITED KINGDOM 11 Mar 15
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Salary thresholds to increase in April
UNITED KINGDOM 11 Mar 15
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‘Super Priority’ visa service to launch in New...
UNITED KINGDOM 5 Mar 15
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Registration no longer required for foreign children
INDIA 13 Feb 15
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New procedures for biometric residence permits to take...
UNITED KINGDOM 3 Feb 15
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Merger of PIO and OCI cards benefits Indian...
INDIA 27 Jan 15
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Some employers must manually renew Certificate of Sponsorship...
UNITED KINGDOM 15 Jan 15
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Foreign residents may be fined for reporting address...
INDIA 31 Dec 14
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Visa applicants in Australia must schedule biometrics appointments
INDIA 29 Dec 14
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Registered Traveller Service offers faster clearance at airports
UNITED KINGDOM 22 Dec 14
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British Embassy in Egypt reopens
EGYPT, UNITED KINGDOM 17 Dec 14
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UK, Canada close embassies in Egypt, suspending services
UNITED KINGDOM, GLOBAL 12 Dec 14
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New rule for transit visas now in effect
UNITED KINGDOM 10 Dec 14
-
Visa officers may ask employers for compliance proof...
UNITED KINGDOM 10 Dec 14
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Mandatory fingerprinting for Russian visas to require extra...
UNITED KINGDOM 8 Dec 14
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Visas on arrival for more than 40 countries...
INDIA 1 Dec 14
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Indian Prime Minister promises visas on arrival for...
INDIA 21 Nov 14
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India simplifies immigration procedures for Japanese nationals
INDIA 18 Nov 14
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UK to expand 24-hour visa service to several...
UNITED KINGDOM 14 Nov 14
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Employers must provide Provident Fund ID number on...
INDIA 20 Oct 14
-
Sweeping changes to immigration rules announced
UNITED KINGDOM 17 Oct 14
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All Indian PIO cards now valid for life
INDIA 16 Oct 14
-
Joint UK-Irish visa to launch for Chinese, Indian...
UNITED KINGDOM, IRELAND 14 Oct 14
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Diwali holiday to close government offices
INDIA, MALAYSIA, SINGAPORE 9 Oct 14
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CKGS Visa Center requiring additional employment visa application...
INDIA 7 Oct 14
-
MHA delegates visa and immigration services to FRROs
INDIA 30 Sep 14
-
Visa changes announced for overseas Indian and US...
INDIA 30 Sep 14
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Government forms task force to expedite visas and...
INDIA 12 Sep 14
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Implementation of ‘right to rent’ provisions announced
UNITED KINGDOM 4 Sep 14
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New biometrics rule set for young children
UNITED KINGDOM 24 Jul 14
-
UK to offer 24-hour visa service to Chinese...
UNITED KINGDOM 22 Jul 14
-
New restrictions placed on Tier 1 (Entrepreneur) visa...
UNITED KINGDOM 10 Jul 14
-
Home Office to remove Educational Testing Service from...
UNITED KINGDOM 13 Jun 14
-
Changes announced for Employment, Business and Project Visas
INDIA 10 Jun 14
-
Immigration Act now in force; will impact employers
UNITED KINGDOM 14 May 14
-
New contractor to replace BLS for consular services...
INDIA 8 May 14
-
Home Office expands passport-back service to more permanent...
UNITED KINGDOM 7 May 14
-
Draft code on preventing illegal working: higher penalties,...
UNITED KINGDOM 7 May 14
-
Renewals of employers’ foreign worker allocations to become...
UNITED KINGDOM 6 May 14
-
Major immigration changes now in place
UNITED KINGDOM 23 Apr 14
-
Retirement funds requesting names of foreign workers
INDIA 21 Apr 14
-
Consulates in San Francisco, Houston now require filing...
INDIA 8 Apr 14
-
Eased immigration rules will attract entrepreneurs, investors, digital...
UNITED KINGDOM 17 Mar 14
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Home Office to transfer Priority Visa Service to...
UNITED KINGDOM 14 Mar 14
-
Major changes coming to Tier 2 sponsors
UNITED KINGDOM 14 Mar 14
-
New application dates and salary rates for restricted...
UNITED KINGDOM 5 Mar 14
-
All countries, except eight, will be offered visas...
INDIA 13 Feb 14
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Draft legislation toughens penalties on ‘rogue employers’
UNITED KINGDOM 13 Feb 14
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Home Office moves web content to GOV.UK site
UNITED KINGDOM 12 Feb 14
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Higher immigration fees proposed for nearly all services
UNITED KINGDOM 5 Feb 14
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Online Payment Now Mandatory in Many Countries
UNITED KINGDOM 20 Dec 13
-
Consulates Request Labor Market Information on Visa Applications
INDIA 18 Dec 13
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Companies Must Submit Tier 2 Estimates Soon
UNITED KINGDOM 18 Dec 13
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Home Office Escalates Surprise Audits of Employers
UNITED KINGDOM 18 Dec 13
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Most of Africa and Asia Must Get Tuberculosis...
UNITED KINGDOM 17 Dec 13
-
Scams Targeting Immigrants are on the Rise
AUSTRALIA, FRANCE, UNITED KINGDOM, GLOBAL, IRELAND, NEW ZEALAND, SINGAPORE, UNITED STATES 11 Dec 13
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Labor Market Testing Spreads to Chennai
INDIA 3 Dec 13
-
New Tuberculosis Testing for China, Hong Kong, Macau
UNITED KINGDOM 26 Nov 13
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Foreign Residents Must File New Paperwork from Landlords
INDIA 26 Nov 13
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UK to Offer Exclusive Visa Services to Business...
UNITED KINGDOM 15 Nov 13
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UK to Give More Countries Priority and Same-Day...
UNITED KINGDOM 15 Nov 13
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Address Change at Bangalore FRRO May Cause Slowdown
INDIA 7 Nov 13
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Labor Market Testing Becoming Common Practice in Some...
INDIA 25 Oct 13
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Additional Countries Added to List for Required Tuberculosis...
UNITED KINGDOM 21 Oct 13
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Visas on Arrival Proposed for 40 More Countries;...
INDIA 18 Oct 13
-
Photos Must Be Uploaded for Foreigner Registration in...
INDIA 19 Aug 13
-
Cash Bond Pilot for Some Nationals on Six-Month...
UNITED KINGDOM 24 Jun 13
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Change in Contractor to Impact India Visa Process...
INDIA 3 Jun 13