Australia Visa Biometrics in India (From 26 October 2026): Who Needs Them, What It Costs and Where to Go

If you're applying for an Australian visa from India, there's a new step you need to know about. From 26 October 2026, applicants in India may be asked to give fingerprints and a facial photo after they lodge their application. Australia has extended this requirement to nearly 60 countries, and India is now on the list.

We've read the official announcement from the Australian High Commission and checked the practical details, such as fees, centres and what to carry, against what's published for the appointment centres. Here's the plain-language version, with an Ahmedabad focus because that's where many of our students will be going.

At a glance: Australia visa biometrics in India

• Who: applicants in India may be asked for biometrics. Home Affairs decides who, and tells you after you lodge.
• From when: new applications lodged on or after 26 October 2026. Anything lodged earlier is not affected.
• What: a facial photo, plus fingerprints for most applicants.
• Where: an Australian Biometrics Collection Centre (ABCC), or, for eligible applicants, the Australian Immi App on your phone.
• Cost: a service fee of ₹1,425 per person at the centres, as published by VFS Global. The Immi App option is free.
• Delays: Australia says processing times shouldn't be affected if you complete biometrics promptly.

What exactly has changed in Australia's biometric requirements?

Until now, many Indian applicants never had to attend a biometrics appointment. From 26 October 2026, the Department of Home Affairs can ask applicants in India to give biometrics as part of the application. The stated aim is a secure, efficient and trusted visa system, which in practice means confirming that the person who applied is the person who travels.

The rule isn't tied to one visa type. Student, visitor, family and other applicants could all be asked. Whether you are asked is Home Affairs' call, so don't book anything in advance. Wait for the instruction.

Who needs to provide biometrics for an Australian visa from India?

You may need to if you lodge a new Australian visa application in India on or after 26 October 2026.

You don't need to if you lodged your application before 26 October 2026, even if it's still being processed. Visas that have already been granted are also unaffected.

If you're a student, assume it could apply to you and plan around it. Our Australia student visa guide covers the full application, and the biometrics step simply comes after you lodge. If you're planning a family visit or holiday, the same goes for the Australia visitor visa.

How the Australian visa biometrics process works, step by step

1. Lodge your visa application online through your ImmiAccount, as you normally would.
2. Watch for a biometrics request. If you're required to give biometrics, Home Affairs sends you a letter with instructions. It tells you whether to attend a centre or use the Immi App.
3. Check your details. Your name, date of birth and passport details on the letter must match your passport. If something is wrong, tell Home Affairs through your ImmiAccount and get it corrected before you book.
4. Book your appointment on the VFS Global website. You'll need your visa lodgement number and visa subclass, both on your letter, and you pay the service fee when you book.
5. Attend the appointment with the documents listed below.
6. Wait for your decision. The centre only collects biometrics. It can't tell you anything about your visa outcome.

How much is the Australian visa biometric fees in India?

The ₹1,425 fee is per applicant, so a family of four pays it four times. Fees and rules can change, so confirm the amount on the VFS Global page when you book. Visa-related questions about the application itself should go to Home Affairs, not VFS.

Australian Biometrics Collection Centres in India

There are 16 centres, all run by VFS Global, and you can book any of them. They are in:

Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chandigarh, Chennai, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jalandhar, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, New Delhi, Panaji, Puducherry, Pune and Thiruvananthapuram.

Panaji and Puducherry are pop-up centres that open only on specific days. The rest are open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and closed on public holidays.

Australian biometrics Ahmedabad centre (for Gujarat applicants)

According to VFS Global's published listing, the Ahmedabad centre is at:

Ground Floor, Shree Balaji Agora Mall, between Tapovan and Bhat Circle, 200 ft SP Ring Road, Motera, Ahmedabad – 382424.

For most applicants from across Gujarat, including Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot and Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad will be the closest centre. Allow travel time and book a slot that doesn't leave you rushing, particularly if you're coming from outside the city.

What documents should you carry to your biometrics appointment?

• Your original, valid passport, the same one you used in your application
• The biometrics request letter from Home Affairs (a printout or on your phone)
• Your VFS appointment confirmation
• Proof of payment, if you've paid online

Applying with children? A parent or guardian must attend with a young applicant. VFS's published guidance refers to applicants under 16, so check what your own letter says for a 16 or 17-year-old. Carry the child's birth certificate and the parent's ID so the relationship can be confirmed.

What happens at the centre

It's quick and non-invasive. Staff take a digital photo of your face and scan your fingerprints on a digital scanner. A few practical points:

• You may be asked to remove glasses for the photo.
• Applicants who wear a religious head covering can ask for it to be handled privately.
• If you have mehndi on your hands, check with the centre beforehand whether a scan is possible. It's best to book once it has faded.
• If you have a temporary injury to your fingers, wait until it heals, or explain the situation to Home Affairs through your ImmiAccount.
• Only applicants are normally allowed inside, with exceptions for parents of minors and anyone who needs help because of age or disability. Photography and recording aren't permitted.

Published guidance on Australia's wider biometrics program says very young children give a photo only, with no fingerprints. Your own letter is the final word on what applies to your child.

Can you use the Australian Immi App instead of visiting a centre?

Possibly, but not everyone qualifies. The official notice says eligible applicants who have already given biometrics at an ABCC and hold a valid passport may be able to use the Australian Immi App at no cost. For a first-time applicant, an in-person visit is the more likely route.

Your letter will say which option applies. Download the app only from your official app store, and ignore anyone offering to "do it for you" through a link or an unofficial app.

Booking, rescheduling and walk-ins

• Book online on the VFS Global Australia site. Phone and in-person booking are also published as options.
• You can usually book for several applicants at once, which is handy for families.
• Rescheduling is limited and needs notice, so choose your date carefully. If you miss an appointment, expect to pay again for a new one.
• Walk-ins depend on capacity and cost extra, so treat them as a last resort.

Will Australia's new biometrics requirements delay visa processing?

Australia says processing times aren't expected to be affected, as long as you complete biometrics promptly. The practical risk is on your side: leaving the request sitting in your inbox, or booking a slot weeks away. If you're applying for a student visa with an intake date approaching, build in some extra buffer, and book as soon as the letter arrives.

If requested biometrics aren't provided, Home Affairs can refuse an application, so don't ignore the instruction. If something prevents you from attending or using the app, tell Home Affairs through your ImmiAccount rather than staying silent.

Is your biometric information safe?

According to the official notice, biometric information is collected, stored and managed in line with Australian legislation and applicable local laws, with privacy and data protection safeguards in place.

Common mistakes to avoid

1. Booking before you've been asked. Wait for the letter. It carries the details VFS needs.
2. Turning up with the wrong passport. It must be the one linked to your application.
3. Going the week before your flight or intake. Give yourself weeks, not days.
4. Paying agents or unofficial websites for "priority" slots. You pay the published fee when booking on the official VFS site. Be wary of anyone promising a faster visa decision.
5. Assuming the old rules still apply. If you lodge on or after 26 October 2026, plan for biometrics.

Planning an Australian visa application?

Rule changes like this are easy to misread when you're juggling six different articles. Angel EduNext's Australia team tracks the official updates and helps students and families plan their applications around them. You can see how we've helped other applicants on our success stories page.

If you'd like help with your timeline, talk to our counsellors, or explore our full range of services on the Angel EduNext.

Official sources:

1. Australian High Commission in India: Visa and migration updates
2. Australian Department of Home Affairs: Biometrics
3. Australian Immi App: Eligibility and instructions
4. VFS Global: Australian visa services in India

Editorial note: Visa requirements, service fees and collection arrangements may change. Confirm the applicable details with the relevant official authority before making an appointment or submitting information. 

Frequently asked questions about Australian visa biometrics in India

1. Do all Australian visa applicants in India need biometrics now?

Not automatically. Applicants may be required to, and Home Affairs will tell you if you must.

2. I applied before 26 October 2026. Do I need to do anything?

No. The requirement applies only to new applications lodged from that date.

3. How much is the biometrics fee in India?

VFS Global lists ₹1,425 per person, including taxes. The Visa Application Charge is separate.

4. Is there an Australian biometrics centre in Ahmedabad?

Yes, at Shree Balaji Agora Mall in Motera, open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, per VFS Global's listing.

5. Can I book a centre in another city?

Yes. You aren't limited to the one nearest your home.

7. Can I use my phone instead of going to a centre?

Maybe. Eligible applicants who've given biometrics before and hold a valid passport may be able to use the Immi App. Your letter will say.

8. Do children have to give fingerprints?

Guidance published for the wider program says very young children give a photo only, and a parent or guardian must accompany younger applicants. Follow your own letter.

9. Will biometrics affect my visa outcome?

Biometrics confirm identity. They don't decide your visa, which is assessed on its own merits.