A co-ordinated effort by several Memorial units and departments to ease students’ overseas travel requirements will come to fruition next month.

Members of Career Development and Experiential Learning, the Office of the Vice-President (Academic), the International Student Advising Office and the campus Travel CUTS office will bring a mobile biometrics unit to the St. John’s campus University Centre, fourth floor, on July 15 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. to scan individuals’ fingerprints and facial image into digital format.

Memorial will provide the space for the service provider, WorldBridge Service, to set up and operate the equipment used in the process.

The measurement of individuals’ physical characteristics for use in verifying their identity is required by the U.K. Border Agency. In November 2008, due to changes in the United Kingdom’s immigration system, biometrics became part of the visa application process.

As a result, it is necessary for students travelling for co-operative education placements or internships in the U.K. to visit one of the biometric processing sites to gain access to the country. Up until March 31, 2010, students could avail of the service in the Halifax, N.S., location, but that site is no longer available. Travellers would be then forced to journey even further – at their personal expense and time – to the next closest location in Ottawa, Ont.

Instead, WorldBridge Service will offer a one-day service with a mobile biometrics unit on Memorial’s St. John’s campus for anyone travelling to the U.K. Students as well as members of the general public are welcome and encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity.

The cost is $100 plus tax and documentation required is a personal passport; a completed and printed visa application form; a receipt for the online visa fee payment; an appointment confirmation; and a prepaid, return self-addressed DHL or Priority courier envelope.

The procedure will take approximately 10 minutes. Individuals must register at www.visainfoservices.com prior (select “Canada” and then “Additional Services”) to arriving for a scheduled appointment.

It is also important to note biometric measurements are not required of most students travelling to Memorial’s Harlow campus for study. However, there are exceptions. Visit www.visainfoservices.com for further information.

If you require additional information, please contact Chris Hounsell, Career Development and Experiential Learning, at 737-4484 or chrish@mun.ca.