Biometrics for Schengen visa
To obtain a Schengen visa, you must pass biometrics. This procedure is carried out at the visa center, you can also contact the consulate of the state to which you are going to go. The passage of biometrics includes 2 stages: scanning fingerprints, creating a digital photo.
Biometrics: what is it?
To obtain a Schengen visa, all applicants undergo biometrics. The following documents will be required:
Attention! Retinal scanning is not performed.
The submission of biometrics for all people traveling to the Schengen area is necessary to ensure security. The implementation of this control helps to prevent fraudulent activities on the part of people crossing the border. Tourists are also protected from theft and misappropriation of their personal data. The information obtained during the passage of biometrics is not stored in travel companies, but in a single database. The information provided is valid for .
During this period, you can travel to the Schengen area, while re-submission of biometric data is not required. If after 5 years a person needs to cross the border again, the procedure will have to be repeated. If you are undergoing biometrics at a visa application center or consulate, no additional payments will be required. Only standard fees are paid when applying for a visa.
Video - Fingerprinting technique
Can I opt out of biometrics?
Everyone who is going to visit the states belonging to the Schengen area must go through this procedure. Applications without providing biometric data are not subject to consideration, as they are rejected due to an incomplete package of documents. There are cases in which fingerprinting is not required. Just a digital photo is enough.
The following persons are exempted from fingerprinting:
- People under the age of 12.
- People who are missing limbs or fingers. If there is a partial loss of fingers, prints from the remaining ones must be handed over.
- Officials who are sent to the Schengen area as members of the delegation.
When is fingerprinting performed?
In some cases, resubmission of fingerprints is required even if five years have not passed since the fingerprinting:
- A person does not have the opportunity to confirm that at a particular moment he underwent fingerprinting to obtain a Schengen visa.
- There were technical problems due to which the ability to view fingerprints from the government database is limited.
- When passing through border control, employees began to assume that a particular person is not the owner of the presented visa.
- A number of departments request a copy of the previous visa, on which there is a mark on the passage of fingerprinting. If at a particular moment a person cannot provide this document, it is likely that fingerprints will be required on the spot.
Attention! At the end of the period from the moment of passing the biometrics, a second procedure is carried out without fail.
How is fingerprinting performed?
Features of the procedure:
| Data | detailed information |
|---|---|
| It only takes a few minutes to complete the procedure. | When taking fingerprints, no liquids or powders are used, which were previously used when prisoners underwent fingerprinting. It is enough to put your fingers on a special panel on a portable device. Initially, 4 fingers are scanned separately, then 2 thumbs are scanned simultaneously. During the procedure, people do not experience pleasant sensations, and this action is absolutely safe. |
| Fingerprinting is prohibited if there are even minor injuries on the fingers | In this case, it will be necessary to postpone the moment of submitting biometrics, since the presence of wounds on the hands is not a basis for accepting a package of documents without the results of fingerprinting |
Features of the passage of biometrics
Usually biometrics is carried out in visa centers, as they are located in almost all regional cities of Russia, unlike consulates, of which there are only a few in the country. Fingerprinting should be carried out at the same time when applying for a visa.
Procedure:
- Step 1. Pre-registration at a specific visa center, submission of documents. You will need 2 photographs, the original and a copy of the international passport, a copy of the Russian passport, a completed visa application form, and a medical insurance policy. Some organizations do not accept appointments. In this case, it is necessary to take a queue to submit documents and undergo biometrics.
- Step 2. Upon arrival at the organization, you should undergo fingerprinting.
- Step 3. The digital photo is taken in a separate room.
Video - Biometric fingerprint template
Can biometrics be done at home?
Mobile biometrics is an expensive service, but it is relevant for many categories of citizens. Required for those who live in regional cities located far from visa centers. In some cases, when taking biometrics at home, you can save money if you compare the total cost of the service with the cost of traveling to the nearest center. To order this service, you can contact the organization VFS Global, which is an international operator for, which provides the opportunity to apply for a visa to any EU country.
Attention! When ordering a mobile biometrics service, it is important to specify the exact address, as well as agree on the time of arrival of a specialist. At the visiting employee of the visa center, you can not only issue biometrics, but also submit an application, a package for a visa.
To order an exit biometrics service, you should perform the following algorithm of actions:
An employee of the visa center will come to the client with the necessary equipment. It is important to provide for him the following aspects:
- A free outlet, stable Internet access is also required.
- Workplace. It is advisable to allocate a separate room for the procedure.
Attention! The fingerprinting procedure, digital creation, as well as the filing of documents are recorded on a video camera. Filming is necessary for safety.
The cost of mobile biometrics is quite high. You will need to spend 150 euros per person. It is advisable to go through this procedure together with friends or work colleagues who are also planning to travel to the Schengen area soon. For 3 applicants, the total cost of the service will be only 383 euros. If you manage to gather 40 people, you can pay only 40 euros for each.
Additionally, you will have to pay consular and service fees. Depending on the remoteness of the customer's place of residence from a specific visa center, the cost of transportation costs for a specialist changes. The person will know the exact amount immediately after filling out the application on the site.
Benefits of biometrics
The need to provide biometric information to obtain a Schengen visa helps to resolve the following problematic situations:
When passing through border control, employees can request fingerprints if they have doubts about the legality of the documents presented by a particular person. If inconsistencies are found in the biometric information, you will have to undergo additional identity verification.
