Upgraded biometric checks will help prevent visa fraud

Visa fraud is a significant issue for many countries, with millions of people entering and exiting their borders daily, making it challenging to identify potential security threats. People commonly use fraudulent documents and misrepresented purposes to obtain visas, making it difficult for countries to verify the identity of the applicants. To combat this issue, New Zealand has upgraded its biometric checks to improve border control and prevent visa fraud.

Lengthy and Inaccurate Biometric Visa Process

Criminals and terrorists take advantage of the vulnerable system and the absence of adequate identity verification measures to enter countries undetected.

One standard method of visa fraud is submitting fake documents or misrepresenting the purpose of travel. These fraudulent documents can include fake passports, visas, employment contracts, and other supporting materials. Criminals and terrorists can use these documents to create fake identities and conceal their true intentions. Fake documents are further used to seek asylum.

Another way in which visa fraud is conducted is through human trafficking. Criminal organizations often use fraudulent visas to transport people across borders for exploitation or other criminal activities. This form of visa fraud poses a significant threat to public safety and human rights, putting vulnerable individuals at risk of exploitation and abuse.

The lack of proper biometric checks makes it easier for criminals and terrorists to obtain visas fraudulently. Without biometric data, authorities cannot verify the true identity of visa applicants, leaving them vulnerable to impersonation and other forms of identity theft.

Visa Fraud: The Disadvantages of Ineffective Biometric Check

Visa fraud threatens national security and public safety and has several other disadvantages that can impact individuals, economies, and societies. Below are some of the disadvantages of visa fraud:

Potential security threat: Visa fraud can put national security at risk by allowing criminals and terrorists to enter a country undetected. These individuals may have malicious intentions, such as conducting terrorist attacks or engaging in other criminal activities.

Economic impact: Visa fraud can hurt a country’s economy. It can deprive the country of valuable talent and workforce while creating a drain on resources by requiring additional screening and verification measures.

Deprives genuine immigrants: Visa fraud can deprive genuine immigrants of opportunities to travel or migrate legally to other countries. It also undermines the integrity of the immigration system, making it harder for people who genuinely need asylum or other forms of protection to gain access to them.

Time-consuming and costly: Verifying the authenticity of documents and identifying fraudulent activities is time-consuming and costly. It can lead to a backlog in the immigration system, resulting in delays and additional expenses for the government and the applicants.

Human rights violations: Visa fraud is often linked to human trafficking, which can result in severe human rights violations such as forced labor, sexual exploitation, and other forms of abuse.

Read this case study blog where a Nigerian warehouse implemented biometric system

Effective Bimotric Check: Countermeasure for Visa Fraud

New Zealand immigration recently updated the biometric system to prevent visa fraud. They have provided details about the system on their official website. The advantages of the upgraded system include the following:

• Prevents criminals and terrorists from entering the country: One of the most significant advantages of implementing an upgraded biometric checks system is that it can help prevent criminals and terrorists from entering the country. With a more accurate and efficient identity verification process, countries can identify and prevent individuals who may pose a potential threat to the safety and security of their citizens.
• Increases safety and security for citizens: By preventing criminals and terrorists from entering the country, an upgraded biometric system can help increase citizens’ overall safety and security. It is especially important today when global security threats are rising.
• Provides a smoother and faster visa process for genuine refugees and immigrants: Upgraded biometric systems can streamline the visa application process, making it smoother and faster for genuine refugees and immigrants. It helps them to settle into their new home country sooner and can also be an advantage for countries seeking skilled and educated workers.
• Reduces the risk of false asylum claims: False refugees claiming asylum can be a significant problem for countries. It can prevent genuine refugees from getting the help and protection they need. Using biometric systems, countries can better identify and weed out false claims, ensuring that genuine refugees are given the help and protection they need.
• Saves time and money for border management: Traditional identification methods such as passport verification can be time-consuming and costly, requiring much manual work. Biometric checks systems, on the other hand, can be automated, reducing the need for manual labor and lowering administrative costs. It saves time and money for border management and can free up resources for other important tasks.
• Automated process reduces manual labor and lowers administrative costs: Upgraded biometric systems automate the visa application process, reducing the need for manual labor and lowering administrative costs. It can be a significant advantage for countries with limited resources, enabling them to manage their borders better while saving time and money.

Biometric Data Sharing Across Borders

As part of the Five Country Conference (FCC) agreement, New Zealand’s biometric data collected through its upgraded system will be shared with the other member countries: the United States, Austria, Canada, and the United Kingdom. This collaboration allows for a more effective and coordinated border control and security approach. The biometric data can detect and prevent visa fraud and other illegal activities in all five countries.

The member countries can benefit from the improved biometric verification process through the FCC agreement and use the shared data to enhance their border management systems. This type of international cooperation is crucial in maintaining global security and preventing threats from crossing borders undetected.

Moreover, the countries can share the biometric data for other purposes, such as tracking criminals and identifying victims of disasters or accidents in any of the five countries. It is a valuable tool that helps strengthen the ties between the countries involved and creates a safer and more secure environment for their citizens and visitors.

Partnering With M2SYS for Advanced Biometric Solutions

The upgraded biometric checks process implemented by New Zealand serves as a prime example of how technology can enhance border control and prevent visa fraud. As a leading provider of biometric solutions, M2SYS has helped many countries worldwide implement effective border management systems, including turnkey biometric solutions that can be deployed in just a few weeks. Their expertise in this area makes them a valuable resource for any country looking to enhance security and streamline its immigration process.

M2SYS offers state-of-the-art technology that can help countries achieve this goal and ensure the safety of their citizens. With M2SYS, countries can enjoy the benefits of biometric verification and join the growing network of nations committed to keeping their borders secure.