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What happens at the Visa Application Centre

On the day of your appointment:

  • Only applicants, caregivers and those accompanying children under 18 years are permitted to enter the Visa Application Centre.

  • Bring a printed copy of your visa application, as well as a valid passport or travel document with at least 2 pages that are blank on both sides.

  • Bring all supporting documentation (originals and copies)

  • Children under 18 years old need to be accompanied by an adult and this cannot be a member of VFS Global staff.

Biometrics

Without biometrics information, your visa application will not be processed.

  • Your fingerprint scan and live photo / facial scan will be captured.

  • A digital fingerprint scanner will collect images of all 10 fingers, and at the same time a digital photo will be captured. This is a quick, discreet and non-intrusive process.

  • Your digital photograph must show your full face. You cannot wear sunglasses, tinted spectacles, or a head covering unless it is worn for religious or ethical reasons.

  • If you have temporary injuries on your fingers, you’re advised to wait until your injuries have healed.

  • Ensure your fingertips are free from any forms of temporary body decoration like mehndi as it interferes with the working of the scanner.

  • If you have applied for a Schengen Visa in the last 5 years, you will not need to submit biometric data as you will have already done so.

  • Applicants who are under 12 do not need to submit full biometric data, but will need to have a facial scan.

  • Citizens who hold diplomatic passports and heads of state do not require a visa and will not need to submit biometric data.

  • For an applicant between the ages of 12 and 17, a parent or legal guardian will be asked to give consent and be present when fingerprints are collected.

Visa Information System (VIS)

The VIS was first launched in North Africa in October 2011 and is being progressively deployed in all EU Schengen States' consulates and embassies worldwide (*). The VIS is aimed at simplifying the visa application process and border control procedures as well as fighting the counterfeit of documents and theft of identity.

Under the VIS, mandatory fingerprinting is introduced for all passport categories. Consular sections must collect biometric data – fingerprinting of ten fingers - from all visa applicants.

(*) Austria, Belgium, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

The Visa Information System was introduced in Belarus on 23 June 2015.

With effect from 23 June 2015 all applicants will need to appear in person to submit their biometric data (fingerprints and digital photograph). This data will be preserved for the period of five years.

Exemptions to Biometrics

You will be exempted from the obligation of biometric data (fingerprints) if:

  • You are under 12 years of age.

  • The collection of fingerprints is physically impossible for you. If you are unable to provide a fingerprint scan, you’ll have to provide a medical certificate to support their claim.

  • You are Head of State and a member of the national Governments (with your official delegations and spouses) and are travelling for official purposes.