“The introduction of biometrics to onshore and offshore visa application processing is a tangible milestone on the path to even stronger border security for Australia and is critical to maintaining the integrity of our visa and migration programs,” Mr Bowen said.
He said although biometrics data acquisition was already used in some immigration and citizenship processes, this will be the first time it will include all onshore protection visa applicants.
Mr Bowen said the initiative would help establish the identity of applicants for protection visas who arrive in Australia but are often unable to provide sufficient documentation to prove their identity.
He said it would also make it easier to detect inconsistent claims.
The Minister stressed that the move would not replace the current process for assessing an applicant’s claims for protection under the Refugees Convention.
“People who are owed protection under Australia’s international obligations will continue to be granted protection,” Mr Bowen said.
“People who are found to not be owed protection will be returned.
“My Department has put measures in place to ensure applicants are treated fairly and that flexible arrangements are available for those who live in remote areas.”
Biometric acquisition stations are to be available at Department of Immigration and Citizenship offices in Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin, Hobart, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
Mr Bowen said the data is collected through a non-intrusive process that captures a digital facial image as well as a 10-digit fingerprint scan using a dry fingerprint scanning machine.
He said Australia would also begin the phased introduction of biometric collection in offshore visa application processing, to complement the expansion of biometrics collection to all onshore protection visa applicants.
This includes visa applications lodged in 16 countries, managed by 10 DIAC offices across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
‘From December, people lodging paper-based visa applications in Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Yemen, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia will be required to provide a digital facial photograph and a scan of their fingerprints as part of their visa application, regardless of their nationality,” Mr Bowen said.
“Additional countries in Europe and Asia will be included in the program over the coming months.”
The initiative is being conducted in collaboration with the United Kingdom Government.
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Quelle/Source: PS News, 07.12.2010
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