Migrants' prints to go on UK database

The Home Office will use the prints of wouldbe migrants to screen out criminals and asylum cheats.

The rules will apply to 133 countries, Jacqui Smith will say.

The Home Secretary claims the scheme will be "a vital tool" to combat immigration abuse and identity fraud.

It will apply to three quarters of the world's population.

Fingerprints are taken when the would-be migrant seeks a visa at a British embassy. They are then checked against UK records.

Those turned down will include anybody who has overstayed a previous visa, or has had an asylum application turned down.

Once in the UK the authorities can use the data to check if someone is eligible to work.

They could also quickly identify any foreigner who commits a crime.

But critics will say the database will be of little use if the Home Office does not have the staff to enforce removals.

The countries not covered by the scheme are either within the EU or, like the U.S., have a visa "waiver" deal.