Biometrics

 

Recently, the term "Biometrics" has also been used to refer to the emerging field of technology devoted to identification of individuals using biological traits, such as those based on retinal or iris scanning, fingerprints, or face recognition. (definition from the International Biometric Society)

Background

The roots of the Biometric Enrolment Program trace back to the eBorders Scheme which was announced in 2003 and began pilot testing in 2004.  At that time, the Home Office issued a statement explaining the new program: "The database of information and increasing collection of biometric data will make it harder for people to conceal their identity."   At that time, the program envisioned a two-pronged approach, the first being the collection of biometric data to facilitate the passage of frequent travellers through UK immigration controls; and the second to reduce identity theft and other forms of abuse caused by lost or forged passports.  This advert (pdf), which was run in July 2006, shows the seriousness of the government's commitment to the  eBorders Scheme.

In November 2006, UKvisas (now the Visa Services Directorate) retained Cogent Systems to provide biometric capture equipment to British consulates abroad.  This roll-out continued through to 2007 when the Visa Services Directorate adopted the strategy of using 3rd party contractors (also called "commercial partners") to perform the actual collection of biometric data.  By the middle of 2008, all visa issuing posts abroad were in a position to receive and process biometric data from applicants.  With an initial success that can only be described as stunning, the system began flagging up bogus asylum seekers who had been expelled from the UK and were attempting to re-enter with forged passports.  With this encouraging news, we now await the second promise of biometrics, which is to provide increased mobility for the low-risk traveller.

Along a separate strand, the Home Secretary appeared before Parliament in 2003 and made this statement:

"Post-11 September 2001 I was asked on a number of occasions, starting on the end of the week of 11 September, whether I believed that we should have ID cards as a consequence of the attack on the World Trade Center, and I said on record several times, and I still believe it, that whilst there could be a contribution towards countering terrorism this was not the primary purpose, and although it would be part of any such scheme it should not be seen as the sole focus. I went on to say that it was probably sensible, if we were going to move towards such a programme, to describe it as being part of entitlement (entitlement to services and benefits) which we had built up by the contributions we made and the mutuality that has stood us in good stead and is part of the National Insurance concept of the post-Second World War settlement. I then took that to the appropriate Cabinet committee the following January, that is January 2002. When we launched the consultation proper in the July it soon became clear that people did not like the term "entitlement" card. They thought that it should be an ID card, that it should be explicit rather than implicit, that it should give a clearer picture that it encompassed tackling terrorism and organised crime, and they believed that it would be more honest and transparent of the Government to do so, so in a nutshell we agreed after listening to the results of the consultation that that is what we should describe it as [an identity card]."

This debate ultimately culminated in provisions of the UK Borders Act 2007 which instructed the government to begin issuing id cards to foreign nationals in the UK.  And from this authority, the government conducted public consultations and ultimately produced a code of practices.  In-country biometric enrolment began in 2008 in a limited roll-out which covered a subset of London postal codes.  Because of its ambitious nature, the full roll-out still lies several years in the future.  At the end of the road, we expect that ID cards will be required for both British nationals and immigrants alike.

With the creation of the UK Borders Agency in 2008, we foresee these two strands merging into a comprehensive program.  We hope, for example, to see a more rigorous filter against "false positives" wherein a biometric match is made on the wrong individual.

Biometric Enrolment Abroad

Enough of theory and history.  We now turn to the practical side and outline what you can expect when enrolling.  This article assumes that you are using the online application procedure.

Making the appointment.   The final step in completing the online application is making an appointment. You will be given a list of enrolment centres and available appointment times to select from.  The list is generated from the address you gave at the beginning of the application and should represent a reasonable geographic radius from your address.  Once the appointment has been booked, you will receive an appointment confirmation which you will need later.  If you need to change your booking later, you can do so, but take note that your current booking will be cancelled before you see the new list of available appointments.  This can make matters worse, so we urge that the initial appointment be made with diligent planning.

What to bring to the appointment

  • The appointment confirmation. This is a page which becomes available once the appointment has been made. It may contain a bar code that links the enrolment to the application.
  • Your passport. This is required for identification purposes
  • Although not required, we recommend that you take a copy of your completed application form or at least the page which contains your name, surname, and previous names. This may help in establishing your identity if you were recently married.

What is not needed at the appointment:

  • Bank statements, photos, CV's, and other evidence you intend to provide with your application.  These items are highly confidential and are of no relevance to the enrolment process.
  • Payment. Payment for the biometric enrolment is included in the application fee, and there are no additional payments to be collected during the enrolment process.

Checking in:  upon arrival at the enrolment centre, the receptionist or security guard will check your appointment confirmation and identity documents and reconcile those to the "official" appointment list.  You will then be directed to a waiting area.  Some centres use a numbering system and in these cases you will be provided with a number.  NOTE:  some centres do not allow the applicant to be accompanied by 3rd parties such as relatives or spouses, and these people may not be allowed to enter with you.  This policy varies from centre to centre, so if your spouse or relative is accompanying you, we suggest checking with the centre to assure that they will be admitted to the waiting area.

The enrolment process:  You will be called to an enrolment station.  This is an area which contains a fingerprint scanner (see photo) and a camera.  Your identification will be checked once more and the process will begin.  It generally involves the following steps...

  • Your left hand fingers will be scanned
  • Your right hand fingers will be scanned
  • Your two thumbs will be scanned together
  • Each finger will be rolled around the scanning plate so as to capture the entire forefinger
  • Your photograph will be taken

Once the process begins, it takes between 5 to 10 minutes to complete.

After enrolment:   Upon completion, the examiner will sign and stamp your form and return this to you.  NOTE: Once the enrolment process is complete, you have 10 days in which to send all of your evidence (including passport) to the British Consulate (or Visa Application Centre).

Other notes:

  • Enrolment centres vary in their capacity and willingness to accept applicants who arrive early. It is simply a matter of potluck. 
  • Some of our correspondents report success at an earlier enrolment by simply showing up at a different centre. Once again this is simply a matter of potluck, and we are not in a position to encourage what may turn out to be a fruitless gamble.

Enrolment Centres:  It is the strategy of the Visa Services Directorate that enrolment be provided by 3rd party contractors.  Therefore, you may wish to take note of the following...

  • Enrolment staff do not participate in the entry clearance decision-making process and are not trained in UK immigration procedures. Accordingly, they are not able to advise you on any aspect of your entry clearance application, and generally have no more knowledge than a standard passport photographer. You are not required to answer questions about your application or your motivation for immigrating to the UK.
  • Although enrolment centres are resourced locally, you are nonetheless entitled to a level of service that reflects British standards of civility, courtesy, and respect. If you find that this is not the case, the Customer Services group in London will be eager to know about it.  They can be reached through any of the channels listed at Enquiries.  If you are worried about contacting them directly, you can leave us a note at feedback, and we will take it forward with an absolute guarantee of confidentiality.
  • Depending upon any agreements between the UK and your country, your biometric data may be passed on to the Department for Homeland Security in the United States.

Biometric Enrolment in the UK

People applying for an extension of stay in the United Kingdom for leaves of over six months (including indefinite leave to remain) will also need to complete the section of the application form which covers biometric immigration documents. Biometric immigration document is the legal term for identity cards for foreign nationals.

If applying in person at a PEO, your biometric information will be taken during the appointment.  For postal applications, you will receive a bar coded letter explaining biometrics and inviting you to have them taken.  You will need to take the letter to participating Crown Post Offices to complete the process.

Links and Resources

  • UKBA maintains a brief FAQ at the bottom of Applying for a visa
  • BBC background on biometrics - Biometric Technology
  • Biometrics in the EC:  The European Biometrics Portal (EBP) is initiated by the European Commission to encourage and support the exchange of information and data on biometric technology initiatives, deployments and trials. EBP is open to information coming from the world (not only Europe). It is access and membership free and the quality of the content is dependant on the quality of the users community contributions.
  • The University of Cambridge site contains a book entitled Security Engineering: A Guide to Building Dependable Distributed Systems by Computer Scientist Ross Anderson in which Chapter 13 is devoted to both the historical basis of biometrics and the contemporary theories on biometrics.
  • Biometrics:  A Journal of the International Biometric Society.  

 

UKBA Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JHam3ybcr-k

 

Updated 5 June 2012

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General FAQ

Does the British Consulate need my biometrics in order to begin assessing my application?

Yes. The consulate will begin only after your fee has been paid and your biometrics have been collected.

Once I have enrolled, how long does it take my biometrics to arrive at the consulate?

Your record is transmitted electronically, like email, so it is virtually instantaneous.

What can I do to expedite the biometrics process?

You can try to change your appointment by selecting a different centre. You can also try to see if a different biometric centre can take you without an appointment, but there are no guarantees that this will be successful. A British consulate will not expedite an application simply because you have booked a flight; and we have always advised that flights should not be booked until a decision has been made and your passport has been returned.

Can I have my biometrics taken at the British Consulate?

Biometric enrolment is usually outsourced to 3rd party contractors although a few posts in smaller countries still have the equipment and can enroll you. In larger countries, this is not an option.

How much does biometric enrolment cost?

All of the costs are included in the application fee paid to the consulate.

Is it morally right to collect biometrics?

On a site like this, it doesn't matter. It is the right thing to do for those seeking an entry clearance to the UK because without biometrics, the application will be refused.

Why are my biometrics being given to the United States Government?

Because both governments believe there is a mutual benefit to doing so.

How are false matches handled?

False matches occur when your biometrics match someone else's. The theoretical probabilities of this are small, but computer glitches and inaccuracies wrought from using different equipment raise the chances to a visible level. False matches are currently dealt with manually on a case-by-case basis.