FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - List of countries/airports who take fingerprints and other biometric data
Old Dec 14, 2018 | 8:03 am
  #124  
Sves
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: MOW / BUE / LIS
Programs: M&M/LH, BAEC/IB, DL, SU, FlyingBlue, AY, AS
Posts: 17
Thanks for useful thread. I think better to include specific POE rather than whole countries. Some updates:
  1. Australia takes fingerprints for visa applications from 18 November 2018. Not for all visa types, but most popular short-term 600 and 771 covered.
  2. Argentina collects fingerprints and photo at main entry points like EZE, AEP, FDO (?), COR, Buquebus & Colonia Express sea terminals in Buenos Aires (since approx. 19 April 2012). However, nothing was taken in Colonia del Sacramento - Puerto Madero (Buenos Aires) ferry in April 2018 as immigration for ferry is carried out on departure in Colonia (as usual). Also nothing collected on land border in Puerto Iguazú & Posadas (July 2018). I'm pretty sure no biometric collection will happen in less known international airport like USH & FTE.
  3. Canada takes fingerprints for all visa applications from late 2018.
  4. Lebanon in BEY has fingerprint readers, but nothing was used even for people with Syrian passports.
  5. Paraguay sometimes (1 of 6 times) takes photo on exit in Ciudad del Este land border. Nothing was in Encarnación. July 2018.
  6. Russia collects fingerprints (as a pilot project) for visa applications in selected locations: UK, Denmark, Namibia, Myanmar and... VKO. Also from UK citizens anywhere due to reciprocity.
  7. Schengen counties now use mandatory ten fingerprints (VIS biometrics) for short-stay visa applications worldwide (from late 2015), one of the last region for VIS rollout was Russia (where 2/3 of all schengen visas are issued). These fingerprint readers on borders are used to compare information stored in VIS (not at every POE, depends on country). This may include non-EU visa-free passport holders on ETIAS rollout in 2020-22.
  8. United Kingdom collects fingerprints for all visa applications from a long time ago.
  9. Uruguay collects nothing on arrival via land border Chuy (Brazil) and on departure by ferry in Colonia. April 2018.

Last edited by Sves; Dec 16, 2018 at 7:32 am Reason: Argentina & Schengen updated
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