Biometrics in Offshore Visa Processing
Fact sheet for France
The Biometrics in Offshore Visa Processing Program (the program) is an Australian Government initiative that introduces biometric collection into the offshore visa application process.
The term 'biometrics' commonly refers to a measurable physical characteristic or personal behavioural trait that is unique to an individual such as fingerprints, facial structure, the iris or a person's voice.
Biometric data is an important tool in identity management globally, helping countries reduce fraud and integrity risks. France, Ireland, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and countries in the Middle East have already introduced biometrics to improve visa and border checking processes.
The introduction of biometrics collection in Australian visa processing is expected to be the first stage of a comprehensive global roll-out.
The first stage of the program will include visa applications processed at ten Australian missions across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
The Australian Government has signed an agreement with the United Kingdom Border Agency to share a global network of biometrics collection facilities, including a facility in France known as the Australian Biometrics Collection Centre (ABCC). The ABCC, located in Paris, is run by a Service Delivery Partner contracted to the Australian Government.
Clients lodging paper-based visa applications in France will need to lodge their application with the Australian Embassy in Madrid. If requested to do so by the Embassy, clients will then need to provide biometrics at the ABCC in Paris.
ABCC staff are not authorised to make decisions about granting or refusing visas. These decisions will continue to be made by the Visa Office at the Australian Embassy in Madrid.
Impact of Biometrics Collection on Applicants in France
• Applicants who apply online and meet the requirements for an electronic visa are excluded from the program.
• French nationals have extensive access to electronic visa options. The vast majority of applications from French nationals are being lodged electronically and therefore they will not be required to provide biometrics.
• Applicants in French Territories (for example New Caledonia) are excluded from the program.
• Estimates indicate that around 325 French nationals per year will be required to provide their biometrics. This represents 0.2% of all French nationals applying for visas to Australia worldwide.
Selection of Overseas Posts and Countries
The overseas locations were selected on the basis of:
• the government's intention to provide broad geographic coverage for the scheme and to test biometric collection across a range of client service environments
• Australia’s national security and fraud risks in visa caseloads, and
• the availability of biometric and visa application lodgement infrastructure.
Program Commencement
• The program has already commenced in Bahrain, Bangladesh, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, United Arab Emirates, Yemen and Zimbabwe.
• Biometric data collection will commence in France on 31 May 2011.
Visa Application Lodgement and the Biometric Data Collection Process
Applicants in France lodging paper-based visa applications with the Australian Embassy in Madrid, regardless of nationality, may be required to attend the Australian Biometrics Collection Centre in person to provide their biometrics.
For a list of visa subclasses included in the first stage of the program see Attachment A.
Biometrics will be collected using a quick, discreet and non-intrusive process that captures a facial image with a digital camera and a 10-digit fingerprint scan with a digital finger scanner.
Applicants will not be charged an additional fee for the collection of their biometrics.
Biometrics collected from applicants will be transferred directly to departmental systems in Australia for analysis and matching.
Exclusions and Exemptions
Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and New Zealand citizens are excluded from the collection of biometrics.
Applicants who apply online and meet the requirements for an electronic visa or Electronic Travel Authority are excluded from the program.
Some people are exempt from providing biometrics, for example Heads of State and accredited diplomats.
For a list of exclusions and exemptions see Attachment B.
Applicants less than 15 years of age, incapable persons, or those physically unable to provide a fingerprint scan, will only need to provide a facial photograph.
If an applicant is incapable or less than 18 years of age, a parent or legal guardian will be asked to give consent and be present when biometrics is collected.
Service Delivery Partner in France
Biometrics will be collected in France by the Australian Government’s commercial partner, WorldBridge Service, a division of the Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC). WorldBridge Service in France is located at,
18 rue des Prony, 92600 Asnières Sur Seine.
The closest Metro station is Gabriel Peri on Line 13.
WorldBridge Service is an experienced company that provides visa application lodgement services and biometric collection services globally for the United Kingdom Border Agency.
Further information about WorldBridge Service can be obtained from their website:
Safekeeping and use of Biometrics
Facial images and fingerprint scans will be kept on secure departmental databases. Only authorised officers under the Migration Act 1958 (the Act), as regulated by the Privacy Act 1988, may access the biometrics of applicants.
Under the Act, the department is allowed to provide the fingerprints and photographs of applicants to certain Australian Government departments and agencies in addition to international organisations and countries for a permitted purpose. This includes for the purpose of verifying identity, checking whether a client has effective protection in another country, combating identity fraud or determining if the client has a criminal history.
In all cases where biometrics are provided to other agencies or countries, the department will take steps to protect the applicant’s privacy.
Further Program Information
If you would like more information on the program please visit:
www.immi.gov.au/allforms/biometrics/offshore/
ATTACHMENT A
List of visa subclasses that require biometrics to be collected from visa applicants
Permanent Family Visas
100 Partner
101 Child
102 Adoption
114 Aged Dependent Relative
115 Remaining Relative
116 Carer
117 Orphan Relative
Temporary Family Visas
300 Prospective Marriage
309 Partner (Provisional)
445 Dependent Child
461 New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (Temporary)
Visitors and Other Temporary Visas
302 Emergency (Permanent Visa Applicant)
303 Emergency (Temporary Visa Applicant)
406 Government Agreement
411 Exchange
415 Foreign Government Agency
417 Working Holiday*
419 Visiting Academic
421 Sport
423 Media and Film Staff
426 Domestic Worker (Temporary) Diplomatic or Consular
427 Domestic Worker (Temporary) Executive
428 Religious Worker
456 Business (Short Stay) *
457 Business (Long Stay)*
462 Work and Holiday
675 Medical Treatment (Short Stay)
676 Tourist *
685 Medical Treatment (Long Stay)
771 Transit
Student Visas
570 Independent ELICOS Sector*
571 Schools Sector*
572 Vocational Education and Training Sector*
573 Higher Education Sector*
574 Postgraduate Research Sector*
575 Non-Award Sector*
576 AusAID or Defence Sector
580 Student Guardian
People who will need to provide biometrics in France
* Applicants who are eligible for and are then granted an electronic visa will not need to provide biometrics. For a list of eligible passports for electronic visas, please see www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/visitors.htm
- Applicants lodging paper-based visa applications in France for any of the visa subclasses above will need to provide biometrics.
ATTACHMENT B
Persons and categories of visa applicants exempt or excluded from having their biometrics collected
Applicants lodging paper-based visa applications (as listed in Attachment A) in the selected participating countries will need to provide their biometrics (fingerprints and facial photograph) at an Australian Visa Application Centre unless exempt or excluded.
Persons Excluded from the First Stage of the Biometrics in Offshore Visa Processing Program
Australian citizens and Australian Permanent Residents
Applicants for an Australian Declaratory Visa or Australian citizenship
New Zealand citizens
Applicants who are eligible to apply for, and have been granted, an Australian visa online (including Electronic Travel Authority)
APEC Business Travel Card (ABTC) holders
Persons Exempt from Biometrics Collection
Sovereigns, Heads of State and members of their families forming part of their household, whether travelling officially or privately
Heads of Government, Cabinet Ministers and their immediate family members travelling to Australia, whether travelling officially or privately
Diplomats and consular officers accredited to Australia and their dependants (dependants must also be accredited and hold a subclass 995 visa)
Senior government officials and senior officials of international inter-government organisations (including the Commonwealth) and accompanying family members
Diplomatic Passport Holders visiting Australia on official business for their government and Diplomatic Couriers
Special Purpose Visa (SPV) holders