Updates / 26 October 2026

Biometrics for visa applications made in India.

From 26 October 2026, people who apply for an Australian visa in India may be asked to give biometrics: a facial photograph and scans of all ten fingertips. This page explains the published facts. It is general information, not advice about your application.

Traveller with luggage looking at airport departure boards

File: India biometrics

Latest update26 October 2026

VFS Global16

Information checked 28 October 2026.

What changed

India is now a biometrics collection country for Australian visa applications. The change applies to new applications lodged from 26 October 2026, not to applications already lodged.

The Australian High Commission in New Delhi announced the change. The Department of Home Affairs lists India on its biometrics and Australian Immi App pages, both updated on 26 October 2026.

Who may be asked

Anyone who lodges an Australian visa application in India may be asked. Not everyone will be.

You only attend if the Department sends you a request, usually after you lodge, and the request also appears in ImmiAccount. Do not book an appointment before the request letter arrives.

How biometrics are collected

At a VFS Global Australian Biometrics Collection Centre, staff take a digital facial photograph and scan all ten fingertips. Take the passport linked to your application. A parent or guardian must attend with a child.

Some eligible people can use the Australian Immi App instead, at no cost. Home Affairs says the app needs a biometrics request letter with a Visa Lodgement Number starting AUI, and is for people who have given biometrics at a centre before and hold a valid passport. Otherwise you attend a centre.

The 16 centres in India

AhmedabadMonday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00
BengaluruMonday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00
ChandigarhMonday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00
ChennaiMonday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00
HyderabadMonday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00
JaipurMonday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00
JalandharMonday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00
KochiMonday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00
KolkataMonday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00
LucknowMonday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00
MumbaiMonday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00
New DelhiMonday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00
PanajiPop-up centre with reduced hours: Wednesdays, weekly as published, 09:00 to 17:00
PuducherryPop-up centre with reduced hours: Fridays, weekly as published, 09:00 to 17:00
PuneMonday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00
ThiruvananthapuramMonday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00

Panaji and Puducherry are part-time pop-up centres with reduced hours. List: October 2026 (Home Affairs list, page last updated 26 October 2026).

Official centre list (Home Affairs)

Cost

VFS Global charges a service fee per applicant, paid online when booking where available, including taxes and generally not refundable. VFS Global does not publish the amount on its information page; it is shown when you book. Eligible applicants who use the Australian Immi App do so at no cost.

Timing

Plan for an extra appointment in your timeline.

Respond quickly to any request. The Student visa page states 14 days to give biometrics; for other visas, follow the time in your request letter.

The High Commission says processing times are not expected to be affected if people complete the requirement promptly.

Not yet published

Exemptions (for example by age or passport type): not published on any official page we read.
A general time limit to attend: not published, apart from the 14 days on the Student visa page.
What happens if you do not attend: not stated on the pages we read.
The VFS Global fee amount: shown only when you book.

What to do

Families planning visitor, parent, partner, student or other visas from India should allow for this step: the request letter, a booking, the appointment and the service fee.

Keep your passport details the same as in the application, and watch ImmiAccount and your email after you lodge.

Visa guides that mention it

Where this becomes advice

How any of these rules applies to a particular person, which visa to choose, and any application are immigration assistance, given only by a registered migration agent.

Immi Worldwide does not give immigration assistance. For advice about your own situation, Immi Worldwide can refer you to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130, of The Immigration Worldwide Pty Ltd, or you can choose any registered migration agent.

Ask for a referral to Sukh Sandhu, Registered Migration Agent, MARN 1384130 Ask for a call back about a referral

The referral form opens with the box to pass your enquiry to the registered agent already ticked. Immi Worldwide does not charge for a referral.

Sources

Information checked 28 October 2026.