VFS Global Expands Australia Visa Biometric Services Across Europe and Africa

VFS Global has been contracted to offer biometric gathering services in Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa to applicants for Australian visas. By February 2025, the company plans to have 23 Australian Biometric Collection Centers spread across 13 countries. With this growth, VFS Global is now the only biometric collecting service provider in the globe for people applying for Australian visas.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs has selected VFS Global, a leader in technology and outsourcing services for governments worldwide, to establish biometric collecting centers throughout Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa.

With this new development, VFS worldwide will serve as the only biometric collecting service provider for applicants seeking Australian visas in all nine worldwide regions—including Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe.

What Is Biometric Collection Services?

To identify, biometric collection services entail taking a person’s distinctive physical characteristics, such as fingerprints, iris scans, and facial recognition. These services are necessary to ensure correct and safe documents by confirming identity in a variety of applications, such as immigration, security checks, and visa processing.

Expansion Across 13 Countries by 2025

By February 2025, 17 countries in Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa will have 23 locations offering the new biometric collection services for Australian visas. Services for the remaining 13 nations in these regions will be implemented subsequently, after consulting with the Australian Department of Home Affairs.

This expansion comes after VFS Global was first appointed in August 2023 to supply biometric services in the Americas, Mekong, North Asia, Pacific, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, among seven other regions.

Core and Additional Services Offered

Following the agreement, VFS Global will offer Australian visa applicants several crucial services, such as:

• Biometric Data Gathering and Identity Confirmation
• Digital support for utilizing the ImmiAccount site to submit visa applications online
• Online payment support for visa application fees
• Furthermore, VFS Global will provide additional services like:

1. Conducting interviews virtually
2. Verification of documents and claims
3. Digitization of Paper
4. Delivery of documents and local addressing

These services are designed to make it easier for Australian candidates to apply for visas in Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa.

A Global Milestone for VFS Global

With the signing of this most recent deal, VFS Global has solidified its standing as the sole global provider of biometric collection for Australian visa applications throughout all nine areas. Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Business Development at VFS Global Jiten Vyas expressed satisfaction with this accomplishment by saying:

“We are proud of our devotion, knowledge, and pursuit of greatness in securing these two territories. This choice demonstrates our capacity to uphold the highest standards and reaffirms our commitment to providing creative solutions. We will keep improving Australian applicants’ experiences abroad under the direction of the Department.

Collaboration with the Department of Home Affairs

Anthony Phillips, Director, Offshore Service Delivery Partners Section, Australian Department of Home Affairs, expressed satisfaction with the ongoing collaboration with VFS Global. He underlined that the partnership will guarantee top-notch biometric gathering and visa assistance services for candidates globally.

Conclusion

With the use of cutting-edge biometric services, VFS Global’s strategic growth will improve the visa application process for Australian candidates in Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa, resulting in a smooth experience. With 23 more centers set to open by February 2025, VFS Global will have further cemented its position as the Australian government’s go-to partner for vital visa services delivered around the globe.