7/4/2008

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) implemented the Biometric Visa Program (BVP). The BVP has been a permanent program since October 26, 2004. The BVP requires most nonimmigrant visa applicants as well as immigrant visa applicants to provide finger scans of their two index fingers and to submit photographs at the time of submitting the application for the nonimmigrant or immigrant visa. 

These photographs and finger scans are sent to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), primarily for purposes of the US-VISIT program. When one enters the United States, the inspector at the U.S. Port of Entry accesses the individual's photograph as it was submitted to the consulate. The inspector takes finger scans that are compared with those provided at the consulate to confirm that the person who received the visa and the person entering the U.S. are in fact the same.

Individuals under age 14 or over age 80 are generally exempt from finger scans, however, Mexico requires finger scans for all persons age 7 and over for the issuance of the biometric Border Crossing Cards (BCCs). The U.S. Secretary of State reserves the right to require finger scans for any person under the age of 14 or over the age of 80. All applicants should submit photographs to the consulates, though the consulates in Mexico generally take photos at the consular post.

The BVP helps prevent fraud and reduces the potential misuse of stolen passports. The program will also ensure that certain persons with prior criminal records or something like a removal hearing, cannot improperly enter the United States, since the fingerprints will be in the CBP database. In such cases, these individuals will likely be sent back, if attempting to enter without having obtained the required waivers or other clearances.