At the time of the visa interview, applicants will be asked to electronically scan the index (second) finger of each hand.

Applicants who are required to be fingerprinted who have a cut or blister or other temporary skin injury on their index fingers may not be issued a visa until their finger heals before they can be fingerprinted.

Visas issued after fingerprinting are referred to as "Bio Visas" .

Picture : example Digital finger print

The scanned fingerprint data collected at time of visa application will be compared with fingerprint scans at the U.S. port of entry to prevent the use of U.S. visas by imposters and by those wanted for more serious offenses.

If you already hold a visa, you need not come to the consulate for finger printing. You may travel as long as your visa is valid.