AUSTRALIA: Biometric scans for foreign students

14 November 2010

Foreign students will be included in a trial of biometric checks as part of a wider campaign to weed out potential terrorists, writes Guy Healy for The Australian.

The move has raised concerns, with overseas student educators calling for it to be handled sensitively to ensure negative attitudes to Australia as a study destination are not compounded by the initiative.

The Immigration Department last week confirmed that biometrics would be extended from detainees and asylum-seekers to most types of offshore visa applications, including student visas. The screening process has been described by the Immigration Department as a discreet, non-intrusive examination that captures a digital facial image and 10-digit fingerprint scan.
Full report on The Australian

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