Australia Visa Biometrics in Nairobi: VFS Global Westlands Guide

After lodging your Australian skilled visa application, one of the outstanding requirements will be biometric data collection — fingerprints and a digital photograph. For Kenyan applicants, this is done at the VFS Global Australian Biometric Collection Centre in Westlands, Nairobi. It is a short appointment, but only by appointment, and the fee must be paid in advance.

This post covers everything you need to know to complete this step without complications.

When You Need to Provide Biometrics

Not every Australian visa applicant needs to provide biometrics, but skilled visa applicants — including those applying for Subclass 189, 190, and 491 — are routinely required to do so. After you lodge your visa application in ImmiAccount, the Department of Home Affairs will indicate whether biometrics are required as part of your application. You will receive a notice via ImmiAccount or email.

Provide biometrics only after you have received this request. Do not go to VFS Global speculatively.

VFS Global Westlands: Location and Logistics

Address: 5th Floor, Parkfield Place, Muthangari Drive, Westlands, Nairobi.

Parkfield Place is a commercial building on Muthangari Drive, which runs off Westlands Road. The area is walkable from the Westlands Sarit Centre and accessible by matatu and boda boda from most parts of Nairobi.

Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM for appointments. Hours are subject to change — confirm on the VFS Global website (visa.vfsglobal.com/ken/en/aus) before your visit.

Key rule: appointment only. Walk-in applicants are not accepted. You must book an appointment through the VFS Global portal before visiting. Showing up without a booking will result in being turned away.

How to Book the Appointment

1. Go to the VFS Global website for Kenya (visa.vfsglobal.com/ken/en/aus).
2. Select the Australian Biometric Collection Centre — Nairobi location.
3. Choose an available appointment slot. Slots can fill up two to four weeks out during busy periods, so book as soon as you receive your biometrics request from the Department of Home Affairs.
4. Pay the appointment fee (approximately KES 4,222 as of 2025–2026) via the online payment system. Payment by M-Pesa or card is accepted.
5. You will receive a booking confirmation by email. Print this or have it available on your phone — you will show it when you arrive.

What to Bring to Your Appointment

Valid Kenyan passport: This is mandatory. Your passport is used for identity verification. Bring your current, valid passport — not an expired one or a National ID.

Appointment confirmation: The printed or digital booking confirmation from VFS Global.

ImmiAccount reference or visa application reference number: It is helpful to have your TRN (Transaction Reference Number) from ImmiAccount, though VFS staff can look up your details.

For family applications: If you are submitting biometrics for multiple family members included in the same visa application, book separate appointments for each person and bring each person's passport. Children under 5 are generally exempt from biometric collection, but this is confirmed on a case-by-case basis in your Department of Home Affairs notice.

What Happens During the Appointment

The biometric collection appointment is brief — typically 15 to 30 minutes.

VFS staff will verify your identity against your passport, confirm your visa application reference, and collect:

• Fingerprints: All 10 fingers are scanned digitally using an electronic fingerprint scanner. No ink is used.
• Digital photograph: A digital photo is taken at the centre. This is the photo associated with your visa record.

The data is transmitted directly to the Department of Home Affairs. You will not receive a copy of your fingerprints or photograph to submit separately.

After the appointment, your biometrics status in ImmiAccount should update within a few business days to confirm receipt.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reschedule if I miss my appointment? Yes, through the VFS portal, but rebooking fees may apply and appointment availability varies. Try to reschedule with as much notice as possible if you need to change your slot.

What if I have a disability affecting fingerprint capture? Advise VFS staff when you arrive. There are alternative procedures for applicants whose fingerprints cannot be captured digitally due to a medical or physical condition.

Does completing biometrics mean my visa is close to being decided? Not necessarily. The Department of Home Affairs may request biometrics at various stages of processing. Completing biometrics is one requirement among several — health examination, police clearance, and any outstanding documentation also need to be fulfilled.

Is the VFS appointment the same centre as the UK visa biometrics? The VFS Westlands centre handles multiple countries' biometric requirements, including the UK. However, the booking systems and fee schedules are separate for each country. If you are applying for both Australian and UK visas simultaneously, you will need separate appointments for each.

The Full Nairobi Logistics Picture

The biometrics appointment at VFS Westlands is typically the last Nairobi-based step in your Australian visa process. The sequence usually looks like this:

1. Receive visa invitation (for 190/491) or lodge application (for 189 after receiving an invitation from SkillSelect)
2. Apply for DCI Certificate of Good Conduct via eCitizen
3. Book and complete IOM or Aga Khan health examination (using your HAP ID from ImmiAccount)
4. Upload remaining documents to ImmiAccount
5. Receive and complete biometrics request at VFS Westlands

All three of the Nairobi-based steps — DCI, medical, and biometrics — can overlap in timeline. Start the DCI process immediately after invitation, book the medical at the same time, and respond to the biometrics request as soon as it arrives in ImmiAccount.

For the complete Kenya-to-Australia process including skills assessment, points strategy, and the full document checklist, the Kenya to Australia Skilled Migration Guide covers every phase of the application in order.

The VFS biometrics appointment is genuinely simple once you have the booking confirmed. The main risk is delayed booking during peak periods. Book the appointment as soon as your Department of Home Affairs notice arrives, pay online, and the appointment itself will take less time than the drive to Westlands.

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