Australia Expands Biometric Requirements for Indian Visa Applicants from 26 October 2026
From 26 October 2026, Australia may ask visa applicants lodging in India, including Subclass 500 students, to provide fingerprints and a facial photo. Here is who is affected and what to do.
If you lodge an Australian visa in India on or after 26 October 2026, watch your ImmiAccount: if biometrics are requested, complete them within the deadline in your notification (usually 14 days for students).
Australia has expanded its biometric collection requirements for visa applications lodged in India, effective 26 October 2026. The change aims to strengthen identity verification and immigration security.
Indian students, tourists, skilled workers and other visa applicants may now be required to provide biometric information as part of their visa application process.
Which Visa Categories Are Affected?
The expanded biometric programme may affect applicants across several visa categories, including:
- •**Student Visa (Subclass 500):** Bachelor's, Master's, PhD and other eligible courses.
- •**Visitor Visa (Subclass 600):** Tourism, family visits and business travel.
- •**Work Visas:** Including the Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482).
- •**Family and Partner Visas:** Where biometric collection is requested.
- •**Other Skilled and Migration Visas:** Depending on individual requirements.
**Important:** Biometrics are not automatically mandatory for every applicant. The Australian Department of Home Affairs will issue an official notification when biometrics are required.
What Biometrics Are Required?
Depending on the instructions received, applicants may need to provide:
- •Fingerprints and a digital facial photograph at an authorised Australian Biometrics Collection Centre operated by VFS Global.
- •Digital identity verification through the Australian Immi App, where eligible.
Applicants whose biometric requirement letter contains a Visa Lodgement Number (VLN) beginning with AUI may be eligible to use the Immi App instead of visiting a collection centre.
What Should Students Know?
Students planning to study in Australia should carefully monitor their ImmiAccount after submitting a Student Visa (Subclass 500) application.
Where biometrics are requested, the standard timeframe mentioned in Home Affairs' student visa guidance is 14 days, although applicants must follow the deadline specified in their notification.
Applications lodged before 26 October 2026 and visas already granted are not affected by this expansion.
Will Visa Processing Take Longer?
Australian authorities do not expect the expanded biometric programme to adversely affect processing times, provided applicants complete the requirements promptly.
Students should nevertheless plan ahead and avoid delays in completing biometric formalities.
Official Australian Government Resources
- •Australian Department of Home Affairs: Biometrics
- •Student Visa (Subclass 500): Official Requirements
- •Australian Immi App: Eligibility and Instructions
How Impel Overseas Can Help
At Impel Overseas, we help students navigate Australian university admissions, visa documentation and application procedures.
Planning to study in Australia for the 2027 intake? Our experienced counsellors can guide you through the admissions and student visa process, including any applicable biometric requirements.
Start your Australian education journey with Impel Overseas.