New finger print database of foreigners to check terrorism

A data bank carrying finger prints of all foreigners coming to India on e-tourist visa is being set up by the Home ministry to help thwart entry of terrorists and criminals from abroad.

Immigration officials have started collecting finger prints of those coming on electronic or e-tourist visa and creating an Unique Case File of all visitors, official sources said on Tuesday.

Over 10 lakh UCF having all relevant information about the flyers including their finger prints are part of the database now, they said.  The move comes amidst heightened threat from terror groups, including the Islamic State.

All those coming to India on e-tourist visa have to mandatorily get their finger prints scanned with authorities.

The Home ministry has decided to press ahead with the drive despite External Affairs Ministry recently expressing its reservations over the mandatory requirement of finger print scanning of the foreigners, saying it may discourage tourists form visiting India, the sources said.

The Home ministry officials, however, suggested that the government could look at incentivising the tourists by giving them long-term visa to address Foreign Ministry's concerns.

"It has been suggested that long term e-visa for two to five years or maybe more can be given to foreigners if they are giving finger prints. This will encourage the visitors while complying with all security requirements," a source said.

The US also gives long-term tourist and business visa of up to 10 years to Indians, he said.

The e-tourist visa scheme was launched on November 27, 2014. The scheme has been extended to 150 countries. On an average about 3,500 e-tourist visas are being granted daily to foreign nationals. Under the scheme, a visitor can apply for visa online. They receive it online too.