From 26 October 2026, people applying for an Australian visa in India may be asked to provide biometrics - fingerprints and a facial image - as part of their application. The Australian High Commission in New Delhi announced the change on 26 October 2026, saying Australia is expanding its biometric collection requirements to nearly 60 countries, including India.
What has changed
Under the Migration Act 1958 and the Migration Regulations 1994, visa applicants can be required to provide personal identifiers, including fingerprints and a facial image. Australia is expanding these biometric collection requirements, and India is one of the countries included.
- Not every applicant will be asked. The Department of Home Affairs will tell you if you need to provide biometrics and will send instructions on how to do it.
- Depending on your circumstances, you may be asked to attend an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre (ABCC) in person, or to provide your biometrics digitally through the Australian Immi App.
- Eligible applicants who have previously given biometrics at an ABCC and hold a valid passport may have the option to use the Australian Immi App at no cost.
The High Commission's announcement does not list the other countries included in the expansion, and Home Affairs has not published a list of affected visa subclasses.
Who it affects
The change applies to people applying for an Australian visa in India. In practice this may include visitors, such as parents visiting family in Australia on a Visitor visa (subclass 600), as well as offshore applicants for Student visas, partner and family visas and skilled visas. Whether a particular applicant must provide biometrics will be decided by the Department and communicated to that applicant.
If you are sponsoring or supporting a relative in India, it is worth letting them know that a biometrics request may now form part of the process.
When it starts
The requirement applies only to new visa applications lodged from 26 October 2026. Applications already lodged before that date are not affected.
The High Commission says visa processing times are not expected to be affected, provided applicants complete any biometric requirements promptly. No other processing figure has been published for this change.
What you should do now
- Watch for a biometrics request after you lodge, and act on it quickly. The expectation that processing times will not be affected depends on applicants completing biometrics promptly.
- If you are asked to attend an ABCC, you must book an appointment. ABCCs are operated by VFS Global and charge a service fee. Home Affairs lists ABCC locations across India, including New Delhi, Chandigarh, Jalandhar, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kolkata.
- Bring the right passport. Home Affairs says to bring the valid travel document linked to your visa application, otherwise VFS will generally not be able to collect your biometrics.
- Check for the Immi App option. If you have given biometrics at an ABCC before and hold a valid passport, the Department may offer you the app instead.
- Allow extra time before planned travel dates, particularly for family visits around holidays and events.
Source
- Australia expands biometric collection requirements for visa applicants in India, Australian High Commission, New Delhi (26 October 2026)
- Biometrics, Department of Home Affairs
This article is general information only and is not migration advice. Your circumstances may differ, and requirements may change after publication.
If you or a family member are applying for an Australian visa from India, book your consultation with Nanak Migration Group to plan your application and timing.