Biometric Visa to UK evoking tough reaction

December 4th: 2007: UK government’s move to collect biometric data from visitors through a private company VFS global is evoking serious concerns amongst visitors. The government has started collecting data on overseas employees of British companies and people with resident UK family who require fixed term visas.

The idea is raising great concerns as most people feel that the government’s track record for keeping personal data safe has been less than exemplary of late. They feel that it could be inviting loss, theft or human error to occur as VFS operates with sketel infrastructure and the security procedures in place to protect those visitors to the building need to be strengthened.

UK employers, too, are unhappy about the situation and that other countries will benefit from the fall-out. They are also afraid that they now also expected to pay higher prices for a visa to cover the costs. This is likely to discourage business projects intended for the UK, which would help it to remain an international business hub. This, they feel, would leave UK with its reputation as a business destination in tatters because of personal privacy invasion.

Meanwhile, Canada, Australia, the USA, Europe and other competitive nations continually look for ways to encourage top skills into their countries, to benefit their economies.