Australian DIAC trials biometric collection for Nigerian visa applications

The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) is starting a pilot test involving biometrics for visa applicants in Nigeria.

Visa applicants, regardless of nationality, who are physically in Nigeria when applying for a visa to enter Australia will now need to provide biometrics. Apparently there are exceptions.

Internationally, many countries and embassies have adopted or are considering similar systems. Reported previously, three countries – the U.S., Canada and Israel – have expressed interest in using Aadhaar-based visa applications.

Canada and the United States have signed a biometric data-sharing deal in regards to information from visa applicants.

It was also recently announced that Canada will require biometric information from nationals of 29 different countries when applying for temporary visas, as a part of its Temporary Resident Biometrics Project.

For the DIAC project, facial images and 10-finger scans will be collected and all family members included in the visa application need to attend in person for enrollment.

Reported previously, the DIAC recently awarded a three-year contract to 3M to provide software and services for the department’s new Biometric Identification System.

Article Topics

Australia  |  facial recognition  |  fingerprint  |  immigration  |  Nigeria  |  Visa