"This is part of a world-wide biometric identification process, designed to protect an individual's identity," says the British Embassy announcement. (See www.britishembassy.am)

The collection of biometric data from all UK visa applicants is an integral part of the Government's Five-Year Asylum and Immigration Strategy. The slogan of the strategy published in February 2005 says: "Controlling our borders: making migration work for Britain"
"It will keep individuals and their families safe from crime and terrorism through ensuring that travelling to, and being in the UK, is made more secure," British Embassy project Manager and Political Officer Naira Sultanyan told ArmeniaNow.

This new system will combat visa fraud and abuse of the UK's immigration and asylum systems as well as facilitate future entry to the UK.
Sultanyan said that 11 successful pilot programs of the finger-scan process have been carried out in other countries since 2004.
Armenia will become one of 150 countries in which the new identification requirement will be used.

All visa applicants must have their finger scans taken, with the exception of children under the age of five.

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