THE CONSULAR section of the United States Embassy in Kingston has announced the implementation of inkless digital 'finger scanning' for all non-immigrant visa applicants beginning on June 1.
This process brings the embassy in line with more than 70 other embassies worldwide that have already started performing this procedure, a statement from the embassy said.
The scanning process is in accordance with a new U.S. law that requires all U.S. embassies and consulates world-wide to collect biometric identifiers from visa applicants. The collection of fingerprints from visa applicants will facilitate legitimate travel to the United States by international visitors while maintaining the integrity of our borders and the security of our nation and our visitors.
As of June 1, all nonimmigrant visa applicants will place their index fingers on an electronic scanner at the time of the visa interview. Children under age 14, adults over the age 79, diplomats and other government and international organisation employees engaged in official travel to the U.S. will not need to provide finger-scans. Once the fingerprints have been scanned, the interview will continue as usual. The procedure does not require ink and will add less than 30 seconds to each visa interview, the embassy said.
The embassy said: "The electronic fingerprint records collected in the visa issuance process are, by law, confidential. They are stored in a database by the U.S. Department of State and are made available to immigration inspectors at the ports of entry, where they are used to verify the traveller's identity.
FINGERPRINTS
"When a visa holder travels to the United States, the traveller's fingerprints are scanned at the port of entry under the Department of Homeland Security's US-VISIT (U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology) programme to verify that the person travelling with the visa is the same person to whom the visa was issued. Fingerprint collection will also make it easier to replace lost or stolen visas by facilitating the confirmation of a traveller's identity."
According to the embassy, any applicant who refuses to be fingerprinted will have his or her application denied on the basis that it is incomplete. However, an applicant who later decides to provide fingerprints will have his or her visa application considered without prejudice.
Biometric identifiers such as fingerscans protect the visitor by making it virtually impossible for anyone else to fraudulently use their travel documents. Travel data will be securely stored, and made available only to authorised officials and selected law enforcement agencies on a need-to-know basis.
Ronald Robinson, Consul General at the United States Embassy, said, "While visa processing has required some changes, the United States is still a nation where diversity is celebrated and people from all over the world are welcomed. Today, like most countries, the United States is working to keep its borders secure while continuing to welcome visitors, keep business thriving, and encourage the continued exchange of ideas that enriches lives in the U.S. and around the world."
PROCEDURAL CHANGE FOR VISA RENEWALS
There is no need for current visa holders to apply for new visas in response to this announcement. All previously issued visas remain valid until their expiration dates and are just as effective for travel as visas issued after June 1, 2004.
Applicants who must renew a visa that is currently valid or that has expired within the past 12 months generally remain exempted from an interview requirement. However, renewal applicants between the ages of 14 and 79 years must appear in person at the Embassy for a visa renewal and will be fingerprinted. Applications for visa renewals will be accepted at the embassy from 1:30p.m. to 2:30p.m. on any business day, and each application must include the following:
Both copies of the application fee receipts, available at Paymaster;
A completed visa application form DS-156. While this form may be completed by hand, expedited processing will be given to applicants who complete it online and bring the form to the consular section. The form is available at http://evisaforms.state.gov and when completed online includes a three pages, the last of which contains a barcode
A completed supplemental form DS-157. This form may be completed by hand or on a computer and is available at http://travel.state.gov/visaforms;
One passport-sized photograph.
