Introduction of biometric collection for applicants in Afghanistan and Somalia

​From 20 August 2018, Australian Biometrics Collection Centres (ABCC) will commence collecting biometrics from visa applicants who are in Afghanistan or Somalia

From 20 August 2018, Australian Biometrics Collection Centres (ABCC) will commence collecting biometrics from visa applicants who are in Afghanistan or Somalia at the time of making a visa application to enter Australia, unless they are excluded or exempt from doing so under Australian Government policy.

Applicants who lodge their applications in person or send their applications by mail will be sent a letter requiring them to attend an ABCC in person in one of our existing 69 locations to provide their biometrics. Applicants who apply for online visas may need to provide their biometrics. If so, they will be sent an electronic request requiring to them to attend an ABCC.

Applicants will need to contact the ABCC to make an appointment and have their biometrics collected.

Biometric data will be collected by an Australian Government service provider through a quick, discreet and a non-intrusive process that captures a facial image and a 10-digit fingerprint scan.

More information about these new arrangements is available on our webpage for Afghanistan and Somalia.

Source: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au