Press Releases

U.S. Embassy Announces Ten Finger Scans

May 14, 2007

 

The U.S. Embassy in Nassau, The Bahamas announces that effective May 11, 2007 visa applicants will now be required to submit ten finger-scans at the time of their visa interview, rather than the two previously required.  This change in the Biometric Visa Program was instituted in accord with the Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2002.

When the finger scan program began, available technology only allowed for efficient capture and comparisons of two finger-scans.  Now, improvements in technology have made it possible to implement a ten finger-scan standard.

In consultation with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of Justice, the State Department and Embassies are instituting the ten finger-scan standard to improve their ability to detect persons ineligible for visas and prevent their entry to the United States by raising the accuracy rate in matching finger-scans.  The additional scans should add only a few additional seconds to the overall visa interview.

The Embassy of the United States in Nassau appreciates the continued cooperation of visa applicants in The Bahamas as we continue to implement measures to ensure the safety and security of the traveling public.