This page includes Biometrics for both applications made from inside the UK (through the UKVCAS process), and those made from outside the UK (known as Entry Clearance applications).
What are Biometrics?
Biometrics is the technical term for body measurements and calculations, or biological measurements. They are used to identify you on documents and throughout the UK immigration process. In UK immigration applications, your biometrics will involve:
- A digital photo of your face
- A scan of your fingerprints
- A copy of your signature
This information has to be provided for all UK immigration applications.
When this information is taken it is kept on the Home Office’s database. This is handled with the UK’s strict data protection laws, to make sure your details are kept private.
Giving Biometrics for Applications Within the UK
Booking an appointment
If you are applying from within the UK, you will give these biometrics at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) Service Point. This biometrics process is managed by the private company TLScontact, alongside all other aspects of the UKVCAS process.
When you pay for your application you will then have access to the UKVCAS online portal for booking a biometrics appointment. The appointment can be booked at any of the service points across the UK. For more information regarding this part of the process please see our dedicated UKVCAS guide.
Preparing for the appointment
When you attend your appointment, you will need to take your confirmation email, your passport and (unless you have uploaded them in advance) your supporting documents with you. These will all be returned to you at the end of the appointment.
At the appointment a photo of your face will be taken. You must take off glasses or sunglasses during the photograph. You also must remove any headwear, headphones or Bluetooth headsets. You won’t be asked to take off your head covering if you wear it for religious or medical reasons.
You will also need to put your fingers on a glass screen to be scanned. This means your fingerprints are taken electronically, so there will be no ink, liquid or chemicals. You should not wear henna when you provide your fingerprints.
Finally, you will need to provide your signature. This will all be done at self-service biometric kiosks, with UKVCAS staff on site to help you.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult to provide biometrics, but children do not have to provide their signature. Children under 5 also don’t need to give their fingerprints.
The process on the day of the appointment
Users are shown to a check in desk where they will need to present their appointment confirmation email and passport.
They are then shown to a biometric booth where fingerprints and a digital photo are taken. Only the applicant is permitted inside the biometric booth. The booths are self-service and this is the process that should be followed:
- Press start
- Scan the barcode of your confirmation document
- Scan the picture page of your passport
- Prepare to have your photo taken (e.g. remove glasses) and press I’m ready. If users are not happy with the photo there is an option to retake.
- Provide your fingerprints
- Provide your signature
After biometrics have been completed, users should return to the check in desks to upload documents if needed, and to finalise the process.
The entire processing time for giving biometrics should be less than 5 minutes, though the overall time for the appointment is usually between 30 minutes and one hour.
Giving Biometrics for Applications Outside of the UK
If you are applying from outside of the UK, you will give biometrics at a Visa Application Centre (VAC).
There are VACs in most countries in the world. To find your nearest VAC please see the full gov.uk list. You will be asked to book an appointment at your nearest VAC when making your application.
When attending your appointment, you need to take your passport and your documents with you. These will normally be kept at the VAC until your application has been fully processed. This means you will need to leave your passport and documents at the VAC, and they will contact you following your decision to let you know you can collect them.
When you attend your appointment it will work the same way as those applying from within the UK, in the section above. You will have your photograph taken, as well as give your fingerprints and your signature.
The processing time for giving the biometrics should be less than 5 minutes, though the waiting time may be longer.
For further information regarding the full process of applying from outside of the UK, please see our Entry Clearance guidance page.
Getting an eVisa
As of 31 October 2024, UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) no longer issues Biometric Residence Permits (BRPs).
If your application has been approved you will get an eVisa, which is an online record of your immigration status.
To get access to your eVisa you need to create a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account. You can read more about that process here.
