A biometrical visa is expected to be applied toward Azerbaijani citizens who want to visit Great Britain through the UK Embassy to Azerbaijan, as of December 11, 2006, Colin Wales, Charge D'affaire of UK to Azerbaijan, told journalists during the today press-conference, Trend reports.
Applying biometrical visas has its object as to counteract illegal migration, he said. Those Azerbaijani citizens, who want to receive a visit to leave to UK, should leave a finger-print. This procedure will be carried out via scanning. There is no need to use any sort of ink or other chemical substances, said the diplomat.
If a citizen rejects to leave a finger-print, his or her application to receive a visa will be declined, said Mr. Wales.
According to the British Diplomat, Azerbaijan is not the first country where UK applied this system. Great Britain is applying the system toward such countries like Belgium, the Netherlands, Sri-Lanka, Tanzania, Djibouti, Rwanda, Vietnam, and many others.
The biometrical visa will be applied in Azerbaijan simultaneously with Georgia and Armenia. UK is expected to completely turn to the system starting from 2008.
Azerbaijan enters the group of countries where from some number of migrants flow to UK, said Mr. Wales. According to him, every year, the Consulate Department of the UK Embassy to Azerbaijan gives about 5000-6000 visas to Azerbaijani citizens.