Australia's Biometrics Collection Program in India: Frequently Asked Questions

What are biometrics?

Biometrics are unique physical characteristics used to verify a person's identity. For Australian visa purposes, biometrics include fingerprints and facial photographs.

What does Australia use biometrics for?

Biometrics are used to confirm a person's identity during every stage of the visa process, from application to arrival in Australia. This helps combat identity and migration fraud, protect the integrity of Australia's migration system, and help safeguard legitimate travellers from identity misuse.

Why has Australia expanded its biometrics program to India?

Biometrics collection requirements were expanded to visa applicants in India on 26 October 2026 as part of measures to strengthen the integrity of Australia's migration system. This expansion increases Australia's Biometrics Collection Program to 59 countries and supports identity verification, fraud prevention and efficient visa processing.

Many countries in the region, including Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, already participate in the program. Comparable partners, such as Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States, have long operated biometrics collection programs in India.

The requirements apply to applications lodged on or after 26 October 2026. They do not affect visas already granted or applications lodged before that date.

Do all visa applicants need to provide biometrics?

Individual circumstances will determine whether a visa applicant needs to provide biometrics. However, most applicants will need to provide biometrics after lodging a valid visa application. Applicants will be notified if they are required to provide biometrics and will receive instructions from the Department of Home Affairs on how to do so, including the collection options available to them.

What about children and older visa applicants?

Children (minors under the age of 18) and older visa applicants will need to provide biometrics if they are instructed to do so by the Department of Home Affairs.

Children aged 5 or older at the time their biometrics are collected need to provide fingerprints and a facial photograph. Children who are under 5 at the time of collection only need to provide a facial photograph.

All children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian when their biometrics are collected.

I already hold a valid Australian visa. Do I need to provide biometrics?

No. The new requirements do not affect visas granted before the biometrics collection requirements were introduced.

I lodged a visa application before the biometrics program began, but my visa is still being processed. Do I need to provide biometrics?

No. The new requirements only apply to visa applications lodged on or after 26 October 2026. You will not need to provide biometrics if you lodged your application before this date, even if your visa is still being processed.

What should I do if the details in my biometrics requirement letter do not match my passport?

The details in your biometrics requirement letter must match the details in your passport. If they are incorrect, you must update your information in ImmiAccount and phone the Department of Home Affairs Global Service Centre on +61 2 6196 0196 to request a new letter. A new letter will not be issued unless you call the Global Service Centre. Once you receive the new letter, you can book a biometrics collection appointment.

How do I provide my biometrics?

Depending on your circumstances, you can provide biometrics in one of two ways:

• In person, by booking an appointment to attend one of 16 Australian Biometrics Collection Centres managed by VFS Global.
• Using the Australian Immi App, if eligible, to provide a facial image and passport details digitally without attending a collection centre.

The Department of Home Affairs will tell you if you are eligible to use the Australian Immi App.

What happens at a biometrics collection appointment?

Staff collecting your biometrics will:

• take an image of your face with a digital camera
• scan all your fingerprints with a digital finger scanner.

Your face must be clearly visible from the bottom of your chin to above your eyebrows, including both cheeks and both ears.

If you wear glasses or a religious head covering, you might have to remove them. If you do, you can have your biometrics collected in private or by someone of the same gender.

What if I have a temporary hand or facial injury, or I have a mehndi or other temporary decoration on my hands or fingers?

You should wait until any temporary injuries to your face or fingers have healed before providing biometrics. If your injuries prevent you providing biometrics in time, you must upload a letter to your ImmiAccount to explain why and request an extension.

If you have a mehndi, henna or other temporary decoration on your hands or fingers, you should contact VFS Global (www.vfsglobal.com) to find out if you can still provide fingerprints.

What is the Australian Immi App?

The Australian Immi App is a mobile app that lets eligible visa applicants provide a facial photograph and passport details to support their visa application. The app provides a more accessible and convenient option for applicants, reducing the need to attend an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre in person. It also reduces the cost of applying for a visa, as there is no charge to use the app.

Who is eligible to use the Australian Immi App?

Eligible visa applicants who hold a valid passport and have previously provided their fingerprints and facial photograph to the Department of Home Affairs can choose to submit their biometrics through the Australian Immi App instead of attending a collection centre.

Children under 5 years of age can also choose to submit their facial photograph and passport details through the app, even if they have not previously attended an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre.

Visa applicants will be notified by the Department of Home Affairs if they are eligible to use the Australian Immi App to provide their biometrics.

Where are the Australian Biometrics Collection Centres located?

Australian Biometrics Collection Centres operate in 16 locations across India, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata. A full list of centres, addresses and booking information is available on the VFS Global website: www.vfsglobal.com

How soon after lodging an application do I need to provide my biometrics?

If you have applied for a temporary visa, you will generally need to provide biometrics within 14 days of receiving a request from the Department of Home Affairs.

What happens if I cannot secure an appointment in time?

Most visa applicants will be able to book and attend an appointment at an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre within 5 business days. If you cannot provide biometrics in time, you must upload a letter to your ImmiAccount to explain why and request an extension.

How many appointment slots will collection centres have each day?

The number of appointments available each day varies by centre. VFS Global and the Department of Home Affairs monitor availability to ensure each centre has enough capacity to meet demand. Appointment availability will be increased if needed so applicants can book and attend their appointment within 5 business days.

How will demand for biometrics collection appointments be managed during peak periods?

VFS Global must ensure that a visa applicant can obtain an appointment within 5 business days, including during peak periods. The Department of Home Affairs monitors appointment availability and works with VFS Global to increase capacity when demand increases.

What if I need to travel urgently or at short notice, but all appointment slots are full?

You should apply for your visa as soon as you become aware of your need to travel. If you cannot book an appointment that fits your schedule, VFS Global offers an optional walk-in service during operating hours. This service attracts an additional fee on top of the standard biometrics collection fee.

How much does it cost to provide biometrics?

The biometrics collection service fee charged by VFS Global is INR 1,425 per person. This fee is separate from, and additional to, your Visa Application Charge.

When do I need to pay the biometrics collection service fee?

The fee is payable at the time you book your biometrics collection appointment.

Are there any additional fees?

When providing biometrics, the only required fee is the biometrics collection service fee, paid directly to VFS Global at the time you book your appointment. Optional add-on services cost extra.

Is a fast-track or Premium Lounge service available?

VFS Global offers optional Added Value Services, including Premium Lounge. These services do not affect visa processing, the outcome of an application or the speed of VFS Global's services.

Added Value Services must be booked when making a biometrics collection appointment and cannot be requested at the collection centre.

Information about Added Value Services, including Premium Lounge access and associated fees, is available on the VFS Global website: www.vfsglobal.com.

Can I arrange for my biometrics to be collected at my home or office?

Yes. As part of its Added Value Services, VFS Global offers a ‘Visa at your Doorstep’ service to give visa applicants the option of providing biometrics at their home, office or other location. This service is expected to be available in India from January 2027.

Once the service is available, visa applicants and agents will be able to access all information, including associated fees, from the VFS Global website: www.vfsglobal.com.

Is there a bulk-booking process for large tour groups, corporate delegates or student cohorts?

All biometrics collection appointments, including for large groups, must be booked through VFS Global's website: www.vfsglobal.com.

Can travel agents book appointments for clients?

Yes. Travel agents can book biometrics collection appointments for clients through the VFS Global website. However, agents cannot accompany applicants inside the centre. Only people with an appointment, or a parent or guardian accompanying a minor or supporting an incapable person, may enter.

How long are biometrics valid? Do they need to be provided for every new visa application?

Each time a new visa application is lodged, applicants will be notified by the Department of Home Affairs if biometrics are required. After providing biometrics as part of an application, eligible applicants may be able to use the Australian Immi App to provide a facial image and passport details for future applications. If this is the case, applicants will be advised by the Department of Home Affairs.

Can applicants check whether their biometrics have been added to their application?

Applicants can log in to ImmiAccount to check the status of their application, including whether biometrics have been submitted to the Department of Home Affairs.

Will biometrics collection affect visa processing times?

Processing times are not expected to be adversely affected if applicants complete biometrics requirements promptly. Biometrics can improve the speed and reliability of identity verification. Applicants should be able to book and attend a biometrics collection appointment within 5 business days.

How will my biometrics data be stored and protected?

The Department of Home Affairs manages all biometrics data in accordance with Australian legislation and applicable local laws.

Visa applicants' images and fingerprints are stored in a secure database that only authorised Department of Home Affairs officers can access. We securely process and transmit your personal information through encrypted channels and apply strict safeguards to ensure it is handled lawfully, securely and responsibly.

Are biometrics connected to SmartGate at Australian airports?

No. Biometrics collection is not linked to the automated, self-service border control system known as SmartGate that is used at major international airports in Australia to process arriving and departing passengers. SmartGate access depends on factors such as holding an ePassport and meeting age and height requirements.