Planning an overseas trip with little ones is already a juggling act, and visa admin can easily push parents over the edge. Many moms and dads quietly wonder: “Do I really have to take my toddler along to the visa center just so someone can snap a photo?”
The honest answer is: it depends on where you’re going. The rules for biometrics (fingerprints and digital photos) are different for the UK, the USA, and the various Schengen countries in Europe, and mixing them up can lead to being turned away at the door or even having a visa refused. Here’s a practical 2025 overview of how child biometrics work for South African families.
United Kingdom: Under-5 rule
For UK visas, the system is fairly kind to parents. Children younger than 5 do not have to give fingerprints, but they still need a digital photo, either taken at the appointment or uploaded depending on the visa category. Every applicant, no matter how young, must still go to the Visa Application Centre in person (TLScontact or VFS Global) so officials can confirm the child is real and matches the passport photo. Minors under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, and that adult needs to be listed on the child’s application.
Schengen Europe: Under-12 rule
Most Schengen states are more relaxed when it comes to younger kids actually pitching up at the center. Children under 12 are exempt from fingerprints, and in many cases they do not need to appear in person at VFS Global, BLS, or TLScontact at all, as parents can lodge the application for them. The trade-off is that you must provide a recent, compliant passport photo (usually not older than six months), and applications are often rejected if the photo doesn’t meet strict biometric standards. Certain countries, like Switzerland or France, may still ask to see the child or have extra local rules, so it’s important to double-check the latest embassy checklist on the NAC Travel portal before you go.
United States: Under-14 exemption
The US process is a bit different because it centers on a consular interview rather than a simple document drop-off. In general, children under 14 don’t need to attend an interview or provide fingerprints, and parents with a valid US visa (or who are applying at the same time) can often submit the child’s documents via courier or drop-box. However, a Consular Officer can ask any applicant to come in for an interview, so parents should be aware that even a baby could theoretically be called in, although this is uncommon.
South African passports: everyone must attend
For South African passports, there are no age-based attendance waivers. Even a newborn must go to Home Affairs in person for a passport photo, although fingerprints will only be taken once the child is older. This catches many first-time parents by surprise, especially when timing passport applications around international trips.
How NAC Travel eases “kid logistics”
Standing in long queues with an overtired toddler is nobody’s idea of fun. The team at visas.nac-travel.org helps families streamline the experience by booking family appointments in one block where possible, so you avoid multiple trips. Child passport and visa photos are pre-checked against biometric requirements (no toys, dummies, or hands sneaking into the frame) to reduce the risk of being turned away on the day. NAC Travel also prepares the necessary consent paperwork, such as guardianship forms and certified birth certificate copies for minors travelling with one or both parents, and confirms exactly who needs to get in the car for each appointment.