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Immigration & Visas vocabulary · Applications & Appointments

Biometrics

Meaning in immigration & visas, with examples

/ˌbaɪoʊˈmetrɪks/nounCore term

In immigration & visas, biometrics means: Physical data used to identify you, mainly fingerprints and a digital photo, which many countries collect as part of a visa or permit application.

In Turkish: biyometrik veriler, parmak izi ve fotoğraf

How it is used

Applicants give or provide biometrics at a biometrics appointment, usually at a visa centre. Fingerprints may be stored for several years, so frequent travellers sometimes skip this step. The adjective is biometric: biometric passport, biometric data.

Example sentences

  1. You'll need to give your biometrics at the visa centre after you pay the fee.

  2. My biometrics appointment took less than ten minutes.

Common collocations

  • give biometrics
  • biometrics appointment
  • biometric data
  • biometric passport
  • enrol biometrics
  • appointmentA fixed date and time to visit an embassy, consulate or visa centre to hand in documents, give biometrics or attend an interview.
  • visa application centreAn office, usually run by a private company for a government, where applicants hand in documents, give biometrics and later collect their passports.
  • passport photoA small, recent photo of your face that meets strict official rules on size, background, lighting and expression, used for passports and applications.
  • visa applicationA formal request for a visa, made up of a completed form, the required documents, the fee and often an appointment to give fingerprints.

More terms: Applications & Appointments

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not legal advice.