12 June 2007

By Never Kadungure

Zimbabweans wishing to apply for visas to enter the United Kingdom will now have to physically attend an identity check process at the company contracted to process the applications. The new measures come into effect from the 21st June and are aimed at cutting down visa fraud and ensuring that the person who applies is the one actually intending to visit the UK.

All applicants will have their digital photographs and fingerprints taken as part of the process. The British Embassy has however said there are no extra fees for this new measure. It's reported the new measures form part of a worldwide bio-metric way of processing applications and protect people's identities from fraudulent applications.

"From June 21, 2007, there will be two major changes to the application process in Zimbabwe. All persons applying for UK visas must lodge their applications through the British Embassy’s commercial partner, VFS Global Limited. All visa applicants, irrespective of nationality, will have to apply in person at this Visa application centre and have their finger scans and digital photograph taken," said the Visa Application Centre in a notice.

"All applicants should ensure that their fingertips are free from any forms of decoration, abrasions or other markings and that any facial cuts and bruises have healed or disappeared prior to providing their biometric data as these may affect their ability to provide acceptable finger scans and photographs. Digital photographs cannot be taken with applicants wearing head coverings that hide the face, dark glasses or neck coverings. From June 21, unless otherwise, all visa applicants must have their finger scans and a digital photograph taken.'

"The application cannot be processed if an applicant refuses or cannot provide acceptable biometric data," the statement said.

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