Updated
GL-B-02
Glossary · Statuses, passports, travel
Biometrics - Biometrics
The submission of biometric data — fingerprints and a photo — when applying for a visa, residence, or citizenship. Often the only reason a personal visit to the country is needed.
01 / In 30 seconds
The short answer
- What it is
- Giving fingerprints and a photo when applying for a visa, residence permit or citizenship
- Where it applies
- Many citizenship and residence programmes, visas, passports
- Why
- Identification and protection against forgery
- Distinctive feature
- Often the only reason for an in-person visit to the country
- Can you prepare
- Yes: plan the visit and the appointment in advance
02 / In plain words
What Biometrics means
Biometrics means giving biometric data — fingerprints and a digital photo (sometimes a face scan) — when applying for a visa, residence permit, passport or citizenship. The state uses them for precise identification and to protect documents against forgery and use by another person.
In investment migration, biometrics is often the very step that requires an in-person visit. Many programmes let you complete most of the process remotely — through a lawyer and a power of attorney — but fingerprints almost always have to be given in person, in the country or at its consulate.
Biometrics is usually given once, at filing or at the final stage. It is worth planning the visit in advance: book an appointment and combine it with the oath or collecting documents so as not to travel twice. Otherwise it is a quick procedure of a few minutes.
For Vanuatu citizenship, biometrics have been mandatory for everyone since 2025. They are given once, together with the oath, before an authorised officer of the Vanuatu immigration service.
A case from practice
An applicant completes almost the whole path to citizenship remotely, through a lawyer acting under a power of attorney. The only in-person step is giving biometrics: they fly in once, give fingerprints and a photo, and combine this with collecting documents so as not to travel again.
Where biometrics is needed
- Applying for citizenship by investment
- Obtaining residence permits and visas
- Passport issue
- The oath and final stages
- Identifying the applicant
- Protecting documents against forgery
03 / What it covers
What matters about biometrics
What is given
- Fingerprints
- A digital photo
- Sometimes a face scan
Why
- Precise identification
- Protection against forgery
- Against use by others
Where
- In the country
- Or at the consulate
- At the final stage
Features
- A visit is often needed
- Usually once
- A quick procedure
04 / How it works
How biometrics works
Booking an appointment
In-person visit
Giving fingerprints and a photo
Linking to the application
Stage completed
05 / Key facts
What you need to know
01
Biometrics means fingerprints and a photo
02
It is needed for identification and document protection
03
Often the only reason for an in-person visit
04
Most of the process can be completed remotely
05
It is usually given once, and the procedure is quick
Common mistakes
- Not planning the visit to give biometrics
- Travelling twice by not combining it with the oath or collection
- Missing the booking and losing the slot
- Assuming the whole process can be done remotely
- Not confirming exactly where it is given — in the country or at the consulate
06 / Expert advice
How to prepare in advance
Find out in advance where and when biometrics is needed, book an appointment and, where possible, combine the visit with other in-person steps — the oath or collecting documents — so as not to travel twice. Then the one mandatory visit goes quickly and without hitches.
What we do for you. We plan in advance where and when you need to give biometrics and, where possible, combine that visit with other in-person steps. Everything that can be done remotely we handle remotely, so that your personal attendance comes down to one short, convenient trip.
Klara RihterBanking compliance and source of funds specialist
07 / Questions
Frequently asked questions
Usually fingerprints and a digital photo, sometimes a face scan. The data are used for precise identification and to protect documents against forgery.
Most often, yes: fingerprints cannot be given remotely. But in many programmes the rest of the process can be completed remotely, through a lawyer acting under a power of attorney.
As a rule, once — at filing or at the final stage. The procedure is quick, taking a few minutes.
In the programme country or at its consulate — depending on the requirements. This is confirmed in advance so that the visit can be planned.
Yes, and it is convenient: biometrics is often combined with the oath or collecting documents so as not to travel twice.
So that the state can identify the applicant precisely and protect the document against forgery and use by another person.
Related terms
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