Offshore Collection of Biometric Personal Identifiers

Commencement: 1 July 2010

Client summary

From 1 July 2010, the Migration Regulations 1994 (the 'Principal Regulations') will be amended to enable the collection of the fingerprints of an applicant (including those taken using paper and ink or digital scanning technologies), a photograph or other image of the applicant's face and shoulders, and an applicant's signature, from offshore visa applicants applying for visa types of a category other than those expressly excluded in the amendments. The amendments will facilitate the collection of personal identifiers by a service delivery partner on behalf of the Department.

Affected legislation

The following provisions of the Principal Regulations are amended:

Part 2, Regulation 2.04
Part 2, Regulation 2.08AC.

Additional information

N/A.

Transitional provisions

These amendments will apply for applications for a visa made, but not finally determined, (within the meaning of subsection 5(9) of the Migration Act 1958, before 1 July 2010 or applications for a visa made on or after 1 July 2010.

Forms

Forms used overseas for visa lodgement may change.

Instructions

PAM 3 will be updated prior to commencement of the offshore collection of personal identifiers.