TL;DR
At your Schengen appointment the centre captures your biometrics: a scan of all ten fingerprints plus a digital photo. They're valid for 59 months (just under 5 years), so repeat applicants within that window may be able to skip the fingerprints. Children under 12 and those physically unable are exempt from prints. This page covers what happens at the appointment — to actually book the slot, see getting a Schengen appointment in the UK.
What are Schengen visa biometrics?
Biometrics are the physical identifiers the visa centre records to confirm who you are:
| Biometric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Fingerprints | A scan of all ten fingers, flat on a glass scanner |
| Digital photo | A facial image taken on site (separate from your printed photo) |
Both are stored in the EU's Visa Information System (VIS) and linked to your application. Capture usually takes only a few minutes.
How long are biometrics valid? (the 59-month rule)
Your fingerprints stay valid in the VIS for 59 months — just under 5 years. If you've applied for a Schengen visa before and gave biometrics within that period, you may be able to reuse them and skip the fingerprint step on a new application.
Who is exempt from giving fingerprints?
- Children under 12 — no fingerprints (a photo is still taken).
- People physically unable to provide fingerprints — exempt for the prints that can't be captured.
- Certain heads of state/government on official visits.
Everyone else generally has to enrol fingerprints at least once within the 59-month cycle.
What to bring to your biometrics appointment
| Bring | Why |
|---|---|
| Appointment confirmation | Printed or on your phone — you'll be checked in |
| Passport (+ old passports) | Identity and travel history |
| Full document set | Submitted at the same visit — see your document checklist |
| Printed photo(s) | To photo spec, even though a digital one is taken |
| Fee payment | The consulate fee plus service fee |
| Clean, uncovered fingers | Remove henna, plasters or anything affecting the scan |
What happens on the day at the centre
The visit at a VFS, TLScontact, BLS or GVC centre typically runs like this:
- Arrive a little early and pass security; large bags are often not allowed.
- Check in with your appointment confirmation and passport.
- Submit your documents to the counter, where they're checked and accepted.
- Pay the consulate and service fees.
- Give biometrics — ten fingerprints on the scanner and a digital photo.
- Collect a receipt / tracking reference and choose passport return (collection or courier).
The biometrics step itself is quick; most of the time is queueing and document checks. The centre then forwards everything to the consulate, which makes the decision within the standard 15 days (up to 45 in some cases).
After biometrics
Your application moves to the consulate for a decision. Track it via the reference you're given. If the outcome isn't what you hoped, see Schengen visa refused from the UK.
Get ready before your appointment
- Checklist generator — your tailored document list
- Bundler — merge everything into one ordered PDF
- Compressor — fit the visa centre's upload limit
- Need the slot first? See how to get a Schengen appointment
Want a human to check your whole application before you attend? See the done-for-you Schengen service. For the full overview, start at the Schengen visa from the UK hub.
Sources
Common questions
- 01
What biometrics are taken for a Schengen visa?
Two things: a scan of all ten fingerprints and a digital facial photograph taken at the visa application centre. These are stored in the Visa Information System (VIS) and linked to your application. The whole capture usually takes only a few minutes.
- 02
How long are Schengen visa biometrics valid?
Fingerprints are valid for 59 months — just under 5 years. If you gave biometrics for a previous Schengen visa within that period, you may be able to reuse them and skip the fingerprint step on a repeat application, though the consulate can still ask for them again.
- 03
Who is exempt from Schengen visa biometrics?
Children under 12 do not give fingerprints (they still have a photo taken). People physically unable to provide fingerprints are exempt for the prints that can't be captured. Certain heads of state and government on official visits are also exempt. Most other applicants must give them at least once.
- 04
Do I need an appointment to give Schengen biometrics?
Yes — biometrics are captured at your in-person appointment at the visa application centre (VFS, TLScontact, BLS or GVC), so you must book a slot first. Getting that slot is a separate, often harder, step. See our guide on getting a Schengen appointment in the UK.
- 05
Can I give Schengen biometrics by post?
No. Fingerprints and the digital photo must be captured in person at the centre because they have to be taken with the centre's equipment. If you qualify to reuse biometrics from a recent application (within 59 months), some countries allow a postal or drop-box route — but first-time applicants must attend.
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