New Visa Application Lodgement Procedures For Bangladesh
Australia will introduce a new visa application procedure from 5 December 2010 for visa applicants in a number of countries, including Bangladesh, as the first stage of what is expected to be a global roll-out of biometrics.
Clients in Bangladesh, regardless of nationality, will be required to provide their fingerscans and a digital facial photograph as part of visa application processing.
‘Biometric data is widely used in the international community as an effective tool to manage visa and immigration processes, improve identity management and combat fraud,’ said Australia’s Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen.
‘The introduction of biometrics to onshore and offshore visa application processing is a tangible milestone on the path to even stronger border security for Australia and is critical to maintaining the integrity of our visa and migration programs.’
The collection of biometrics will take only a matter of minutes, using a discreet and non-intrusive process that captures a facial image with a digital camera and a 10-digit fingerscan with a digital finger scanner. Australia remains committed to maintaining the current high level of service for people wishing to apply for an Australian visa.
Australia and the UK have signed an agreement to share a global network of visa application centres with biometrics collection facilities. The Australian Visa Application Centres (AVACs) are operated by commercial service delivery partners contracted to the Australian Government to provide visa application lodgement and biometrics collection services to clients.
Visa applicants must attend the AVACs in Dhaka or Sylhet to submit applications (normal visa application charges apply) and provide their biometrics, which will be collected at no additional cost to visa applicants. For a list of affected visa subclasses, contact the AVACs.
The visa application and supporting documents will still be sent by the AVACs to the Australian High Commission in Dhaka for assessment and decision. It is important to note that decisions about granting or refusing Australian visas will continue to be made at the Australian High Commission.
From 5 December 2010, the existing AVAC in Dhaka will co-locate with the UK Visa Application Centre at:
ZN Tower,
1st Floor, Plot # 2, Road # 8,
Block SW(1),
Gulshan Avenue, Dhaka 1212
+ 88 02 9895894 (client contact number)
Email: [email protected]
www.vfs-au.com.bd
The AVAC in Sylhet will remain at the same address of:
Garden Towers,
1st Floor, Shahjalal Bridge
Link Road Mendhibagh
Sylhet
+88 02 9895894 (client contact number)
Email: [email protected]
www.vfs-au.com.bd
Australian High Commission, Dhaka, 1 December 2010
For further information please contact:
Senior Research and Communications Officer
Australian High Commission, Dhaka.
Tel: 8813105, E-mail: [email protected]