|
Beginning on February 26, 2004, all applicants for non-immigrant visas to the United States of America must be fingerprinted as part of the application process. The new electronic (inkless) fingerprint scans are quick, clean, free of any additional charge and will not affect the overall processing time for visa applications. Persons under 14 years of age and over 79 years of age are exempted from this requirement.
The new requirement is that the two index fingers of a visa applicant are electronically scanned in an inkless process during the consular officer’s interview with the applicant. The electronic data from the two fingerprint scans is stored in a database and is made available at U.S. ports of entry to immigration inspectors.
An applicant who refuses to be fingerprinted would have his or her application denied on the basis that it is incomplete. However, an applicant who then later decided to provide fingerprints would have his or her visa application considered without prejudice.
All U.S. visa-issuing embassies and consulates worldwide will be fingerprinting visa applicants by October 26, 2004. Any questions from the general public regarding the fingerprinting of visa applicants may be addressed to the Consular Office in the U.S. Embassy at 72 26 61, 62,63,64. On Thursday, March 25, at 2:30 p.m., Consular Officer Charles Morrill demonstrated the fingerprint scan process for members of the media.
|
