ISLAMABAD, Nov 13: The Consular Section of the French Embassy has announced a new visa procedure: “biometric system” which would go into operation from November 14, 2006. The system was in the framework of European “Visa Information System” decided by the European Council on June 8, 2004.

According to this new procedure, every visa applicant will have to come imperatively only once to the visa section of the French Embassy in Islamabad so that the Embassy should collect the biometric data (digital finger prints, digital photos).

The visa applications will be received as usual by FEDEX company, which will inform the visa applicants about their appointment date with the visa section of the French Embassy in Islamabad in order to get their digital finger prints and digital photos.

This new system, with very high technology, is applicable to all categories of visas throughout Pakistan. It will represent undoubtedly an effort in terms of general security. The implementation of this system of vanguard is an additional element towards the strengthening of cooperation between France and Pakistan, two partner countries.

Eventually, the new biometric visas will contribute towards the significant improvement of the visa delivery conditions and the reception and clearance at borders.—Our Reporter