What's New?
U.S. Embassy Introduces Fingerprint Scan Requirement for Visa Applicants
May 26, 2004
Zagreb, Croatia, May 26, 2004 -- On June 1, 2004, the U.S. Embassy in Zagreb will begin taking digitally scanned fingerprints from visa applicants. U.S law now requires that "biometric identifiers" be obtained from virtually all visa applicants overseas.
Taking fingerprint scans from visa applicants is the latest step in the U.S. government's effort to improve the security of its visa process. Digital photographs and fingerprint scans are now taken from all visa-carrying travelers arriving in the U.S.
Together, these actions enhance the security of U.S. citizens and visitors, expedite legitimate travel and trade, and protect the integrity of the immigration system by ensuring that the person entering the U.S. is the same person who applied for the visa.
This requirement applies to virtually all visa applicants worldwide. By September 2004, all U.S. Embassies and consulates will have biometric fingerscanning equipment installed and operational. Presently, over 80 U.S. diplomatic missions have the equipment and are processing these fingerscans as part of the visa application procedure.
All visa applicants must be fingerprinted, with the following three exceptions: (1) children under 14 years of age, (2) applicants 80 years of age or older, and (3) employees of foreign governments and international organizations traveling on official business.
Only those applying for a new visa must be fingerprinted. Previously issued visas will remain valid -- no one needs to renew a valid visa until it expires. Travelers not requiring a visa do not need to come to the Embassy to be fingerprinted.
Prints of the right and left index fingers will be taken from each applicant by scanner. No ink is used, and the process takes only seconds.
If a visa applicant refuses to be fingerprinted, his/her application will be considered incomplete and will not be processed. However, that application may be reactivated if an applicant later decides to provide fingerprints.
For more information on our visa application process, please visit the embassy website, www.usembassy.hr.