Biometric data enrolment has been rolled out for applicants for Schengen visas at all VFS Global Schengen visa application centres in the country. Biometric enrolment is now a mandatory part of the Schengen visa application process in India effective November 2, 2015. This regulation was introduced by the Schengen Member States on October 11, 2011, and is being implemented globally in a phased manner.
Vinay Malhotra, COO – South Asia, VFS Global said, “In keeping with the new regulation, we have equipped all our centres in India with the infrastructure required for biometric data collection as per specific requirements of each of our client governments. We remain committed to using innovative solutions to increase convenience for visa applicants and our mobile biometric service is another step in that direction.”
Biometric data, comprising fingerprints and facial image, can be submitted with visa applications at any of VFS Global’s 16 visa application centres in India, which are located in Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Goa, New Delhi, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Jaipur, Gurgaon, Kolkata, Chennai, Bengaluru, Pondicherry, Kochi, Hyderabad, and Trivandrum.
For ease of biometric data collection, especially for out-station applicants, applicants can book appointments online or through VFS Global call centres dedicated to each Schengen member state.