Mumbai: With effect from 12 December, biometric data collection will be introduced as an integral part of the UK visa application process in India.

This means applicants will need to attend a VFS Visa Application Centre where trained staff will take finger scans and a digital photograph.

The British High Commission and its commercial partner, VFS Global, held a press conference to explain and demonstrate the new visa application process.

Creon Butler, British Deputy High Commissioner, said: "the UK’s visa operation in India is very important and the largest in the world.

We are pleased to be introducing biometrics in India as part of the UK Government’s longstanding policy. Biometric data are unique and allow us to fix a person’s identity.

It provides a number of advantages for customers and our visa operation: it makes it easier for UK visas to identify its valued customers, it better protects UK visas’ customers from identity fraud and it strengthens the UK’s borders.

We regret that we cannot introduce our preferred biometrics system to India, because Indian legislation places restrictions on the transfer of encrypted data. This will result in processing times of around 4 days.

The Indian government fully supports the biometrics process and we are working with them to reach a solution."

Chris Dix, Regional Director UKvisas, said "UK visas works continuously to improve the quality of what we do.

VFS, our only official partner, plays an important role in providing an efficient service to our customers.

All the information our customers need is available through VFS. There is no need for expensive agents, and customers should be cautious when dealing with any agent who guarantees the outcome of an application."

Sanjay Bhaduri, CEO VFS Global Services Ltd, said "VFS is pleased to have been working with UKVisas in India since 2003.

Through our country-wide network of 12 visa application centres, up-graded in preparation for biometrics, we aim to provide our customers with a convenient and comfortable service.

The collection of biometric data is quick and simple and should take our customers no more than two to three minutes ".