Biometrics explained: fingerprints, photos and how long they last
How visa biometrics work — who must enrol, where appointments happen, fees, the 59-month Schengen reuse rule, Canada's 10-year rule and the EU Entry/Exit System.
Biometrics means a ten-fingerprint scan and a digital facial image collected at a visa application centre. Schengen reuses fingerprints for 59 months and Canada for 10 years. Children under 12 are usually exempt for Schengen, and the EU Entry/Exit System now captures biometrics at the border for all third-country nationals.
Where enrolment happens
Most consulates outsource to visa application centres such as VFS Global, TLScontact and BLS. You book a slot, bring the printed appointment letter, passport and file, and the visit takes 15–30 minutes. Some posts still enrol in-house, and a few offer mobile biometrics for a premium.
Reuse rules
Schengen keeps fingerprints in the Visa Information System for 59 months, so repeat applicants within that window can often submit by courier without attending. Canada's biometrics last ten years for temporary residence. The UK may reuse but frequently re-enrols.
Border biometrics
The EU Entry/Exit System registers face and fingerprints of non-EU travellers at the external border and automates the 90/180 count, replacing passport stamps. Expect longer first-entry queues and near-instant subsequent crossings.
Practical tips
Avoid henna, fresh cuts or heavy moisturiser on fingertips; damaged prints force a re-scan. Wear no glasses or head covering except for religious reasons with the face fully visible, and arrive early — late arrivals are usually rebooked.
Frequently asked questions
How long are Schengen biometrics valid?
59 months. Within that period repeat applicants can usually apply without a new fingerprint appointment.
Do children need visa biometrics?
Schengen exempts children under 12; Canada exempts under-14s and over-79s; rules vary elsewhere.
What is the EU Entry/Exit System?
An automated border system recording biometrics and crossings of non-EU travellers and calculating the 90/180 allowance without stamps.