Australia expands biometric checks for visa applicants in India from 26 October: who it affects and what to do

What changed on 26 October

The Australian Government expanded its biometric collection requirements for visa applicants in India from 26 October 2026, introducing fingerprints and facial images for certain new visa applications. The stated aim, according to a media release from the Australian High Commission in India reported on 26 October, is to strengthen the security and integrity of the migration system.

The change applies to applications lodged on or after 26 October 2026. It does not affect visas already granted, or applications submitted before that date. That cutoff matters most for people deciding when to lodge: the relevant date is the lodgement date, not the date a person first started preparing documents.

Who it applies to, and who it does not

Not every applicant will necessarily be asked for biometrics, and the reporting describes the requirement as applying to certain new applications. The Department of Home Affairs, which manages Australia's visa processes, is to notify applicants individually if they are required to provide biometrics, and to issue instructions on how to complete the step.

Australia already collects biometric information from visa applicants in nearly 60 countries, according to the High Commission release. Extending the programme to India therefore brings the country's arrangements into line with established international practice, rather than creating a rule unique to Indian applicants. The release also said the expansion was intended to support the growing movement of people between Australia and India, as more Indians visit, study, work and build connections there.

How to complete it, and what not to do

Applicants who receive a notification will typically be told by email, either directly or through their authorised agent. Depending on their circumstances, they may be asked to visit one of the 16 Australian Biometrics Collection Centres across India, managed by VFS Global, or they may be eligible to use the Australian Immi App.

The most important practical instruction in the reporting is to wait. Applicants have been advised to wait for an official biometric requirement letter from the Department of Home Affairs by email before booking an appointment or attempting to use the Australian Immi App. Booking early, without that letter, is not the recommended route.

The government also said biometric collection was not expected to adversely affect visa processing times, provided applicants completed the requirements promptly after receiving notification. It added that biometric information would be managed under Australian legislation and applicable local laws, processed and transmitted securely through encrypted channels, and that optional services from providers would not influence processing times or the outcome of an application. Applicants should follow only instructions from the Department of Home Affairs and use official websites.

Editorial disclosure

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