How to Apply for Biometric Appointment for UK?
After an individual has filed their visa application, they will receive information regarding their biometric appointment at their local Application Center. Applicants will need to provide their fingerprints, photograph and signature.
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Page Contents
- Biometric Information Documents (BID)
- What Is a Biometrics Appointment?
- How to Apply for a Biometric Appointment?
- How Much Does The Appointment Cost?
- Giving Your Fingerprints & Photo (Biometrics): The Steps Explained
- How To Get High-Quality Photos and Fingerprints
- How Our UK Immigration Lawyers Can Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Biometric Information Documents (BID)
A BID is a document introduced by the Immigration (Biometric Registration) Regulations in 2008 as a secure and easily verified proof of permission to be in the UK. BIDs are commonly referred to as Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs), which are physical documents. As of 2021, however, they can also be issued in the electronic form (eVisas).
Biometric Residence Permit
Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs) are issued in the UK to people who are subject to immigration control and have not been granted status under the Withdrawal Agreement to confirm their permission to stay for a period exceeding six months.
eVisa
An eVisa is a digital form of Biometric Immigration Document that provides the individual with online evidence of their immigration status. It also contains the individual’s facial image and full name.
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What Is a Biometrics Appointment?
In essence, biometrics is a term that contributes to automatic recognition of an individual.
The core of a biometrics appointment is ensuring that the individual applying for a UK visa does not have a criminal record or is associated with relevant prior immigration violations.
This is a relatively straightforward visit, during which the individual applying for a UK visa will have their photo and fingerprints taken, and will be asked to sign their name. The goal of the biometric appointment UK is to crosscheck the individual’s fingerprints, photograph, and signature.
Most visa applicants are required to book an appointment to enrol their personal biometric information.
How to Apply for a Biometric Appointment?
The following information explains the biometric appointment within your UK visa application.
Citizenship Application Services
No matter whether someone is applying for a visa, or a citizenship in the UK, applicants will be required to use the UKVCAS, that is, the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services.
This entails:
- Your biometric information (fingerprints and photo)
- Supporting documents for your application (You can provide your supporting documents in two ways: upload documents or have them scanned when you arrive at your UKVCAS appointment)
You will be told whether you will be required to use UKVCAS when you apply.
It’s important to note that providing optional documents allows the applicant to provide evidence for several categories that might help them choose the best immigration route.
Booking Your Appointment
In order to complete your application, you are required to attend a UKVCAS Service Point to have the following:
- Your identity confirmed
- Any required biometric information enrolled
- Any required supporting documents digitised and verified
- Confirmed that you are satisfied to send your application to UKVI
Essentially, there are two ways in which you can book your biometric appointment:
- Online: By clicking the link from your account, or by clicking the link in the setup account email that you have been sent. If you submit your application online, you must upload your receipt showing that you have paid the fee.
- By phone: By calling the Support Line on. (Calls will cost £0.04 per minute) plus your provider’s access charge.
Individuals applying through the EU Settlement Scheme who wish to book an appointment by phone should follow the guidelines within their biometric enrolment letter issued by UKVI.
Please note all appointments must be pre-booked before you attend a Service Point.
When booking an appointment, individuals will be required to:
- Choose a location by inputting a postcode
- Choose a date and time for currently available appointments
Applicants can book an appointment for themselves or a group of people where they all hold a Lead Applicant/ Dependent relationship. If your application process involves family members, you must go together to the Visa Application Centre.
Children under 16 must arrive at the appointment with a person that is named the ‘responsible adult‘ on their application.
It is recommended that individuals arrive at the Service Point 10-15 minutes before their appointment to avoid any lengthy wait or delay
Cancelling Your Appointment
If you wish to rearrange or cancel the appointment, you can do so by logging onto the account on the UKVCAS website and following the steps provided.
Individuals who wish to rearrange or cancel their appointment should notify the authorities as soon as possible.
If the individual cancels their appointment within 48 hours or fails to attend the appointment, they will have to pay the full price.
How Much Does The Appointment Cost?
The cost of biometric appointments varies depending on your selected service and location.
Appointments at core service points are free appointments, but other locations, known as ‘enhanced service points’, will cost you. Individuals can also pay extra for urgent or out-of-hours appointments or additional services, such as using a premium lounge to make their visit easier. If you are extending your UK visa or switching to a different visa while already in the UK, a biometric fee of £19.20 will be charged as part of your application.
Applicants can also pay for extra services such as document translation, interpreter, and so on.
A range of chargeable appointments as well as non-chargeable appointments are available to clients (except at the Premium Lounge).
Instances Where You Do Not Have To Give Biometrics
There are instances where an applicant may not need to book a biometrics appointment. They are as follows:
- If you are applying for a replacement Biometric Residence Card or Biometric Residence Permit.
- If you’re applying for nationality, citizenship or indefinite leave.
In these instances, you must also be:
- Currently in the UK
- Have already given your fingerprints
Provided that you do not need to make an appointment, you will receive an email explaining the next steps.
Giving Your Fingerprints And Photo (Biometrics): The Steps Explained
Here are the necessary steps an applicant needs to take in order to give their biometrics.
1. Paying the Biometrics Fee
Firstly, individuals are required to pay for the biometric fee upon submitting their application.
Important: There is no fee for a transit visa.
2. Receiving The Instruction Letter
After paying a fee, individuals will receive a letter confirming that they need to give their biometrics. Applicants should bring a printed copy of the letter to the appointment. They might also need to bring their valid passport with them.
The time of receiving a letter mainly depends on the way you wish to apply and when you have paid the fee.
3. Going To The Official Collection Site
Individuals are required to give their biometrics in person. They should bring a copy of the printed appointment confirmation letter and a QR code of their passport. Due to the current high-demand for these appointments in Europe, some deadlines will be extended.
4. The Decision
Applicants will not get a decision upon completing the appointment. Instead, the decision depends on the type of application.
For emergency cases, the super-priority service (£800) will provide you with a decision within 24 hours of the appointment.
How To Get High-Quality Photos and Fingerprints
- Keep your hands henna-free for your appointment.
- Let temporary injuries, cuts, cracks on your fingers heal before giving your biometrics.
- Avoid wearing light colour clothing or head gear. Wear bright colours instead.
- Head gear is allowed for religious purposes only. However, when you have your photo taken, your whole face must be clearly visible.
How Our UK Immigration Lawyers Can Help?
At the IAS, our expert lawyers represent clients in various successful, complex and high-profile cases. Our experts are skilled to provide you with the needed immigration advice, practical assistance and professional representation that will help guide you through the entire process.
Our professionals are here to help you with any immigration service.
Our clients will be assigned an immigration lawyer who perfectly matches their individual and professional needs.
Call us on 0330 311 6351 for immediate help & assistance with your situation.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Last modified on February 2nd, 2023 at 1:26 pm
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Frequently Asked Questions
Since biometrics are unique to every individual, we believe that answering some frequently asked questions can be useful to those who will be required to book an appointment in the near future.
Visa applicants are advised to attend their biometrics appointment at the Application Support Centre scheduled for them. If the location of the booked appointment, however, is not convenient for them, visa applicants should be able to reschedule their appointment.
Applicants are advised to double-check the opening times, address, and contact details of their schedules Visa Application Centre.
It should be noted that stealing biometric data does not automatically mean that the biometric is no longer viable for authenticating the data owner. The biometric service provider should follow privacy legislation to minimise the amount of information that is taken, and its use should be proportionate.
There are no federal laws protecting biometric data — however, some states have established data protection legislation.
Essentially, two types of biometric errors can occur in your application. They are false positives and false negatives. A false positive error occurs when the system incorrectly identifies a person matching the biometric template. A false negative error, on the other hand, occurs when the system incorrectly rejects a person who does match the template.