Biometric Data Collection

Who needs to provide biometrics?

Most applicants lodging a visa application for Australia will need to attend an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre in person to provide biometrics.

If you have lodged a visa application to travel to Australia and you are in Colombia you will need to make an appointment to have your Biometrics collected at the Australian Biometrics Collection Centre.

Some applicants who apply online may not need to provide biometrics. Applicants that lodge online applications that are required to provide biometrics will be sent a letter informing them of this.

If you have submitted your application to the Australian Embassy, you may be sent a letter requiring you to attend the Australian Biometric Collection Centre to provide your biometrics.

Australian citizens, Australian Permanent Residents and New Zealand citizens traveling on a New Zealand passport are excluded from providing biometrics.

To learn more about biometric collection, please refer to: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/biometrics.

To find out more information about the visa application process, please refer to https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/applying-online-or-on-paper/overview

Biometrics Collection Process

Biometrics will be collected using a quick, discreet and non-intrusive process that captures a facial image with a digital camera and a 10-digit fingerprint scan with a digital finger scanner.

Your face must be clearly visible for a photograph to be taken. This means that:

• hair cannot cover the eyes.
• face, hair or neck obstructions, hats or scarves, cannot be present (with the exception of religious head coverings detailed below).
• glasses may need to be removed.

If you wear a head or neck covering for religious reasons you must ensure your face is clearly visible, from the bottom of your chin to above your eyebrows including both cheeks. If possible both ears should also be displayed.

Note the following information for the 10-digit fingerprint scan:

• If you have cut or damaged your fingertips, you should make an appointment with the Australian Biometrics Collection Center when the injury has healed.
• Temporary decoration, such as mehndi (henna painting) may cause poor quality, please advise the ABCC staff at the time of your appointment.

Note: If you refuse to submit your biometric data, your visa application cannot be processed and you will be referred to the Australian Embassy in Chile.

Applicants who are under 5 years of age, incapable persons, or those physically unable to provide a fingerprint scan, will only need to provide a facial photograph.

A parent or legal guardian must be present and provide consent for the collection of biometric data for applicants under the age of 16.