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Paused, not stopped: how the Migration 5 data decision affects visa applicants in Uganda

News · 2026-09-28 · 4 min read

Two different things get mixed up in this story, and the difference matters if you are applying for a visa from Kampala or Entebbe. One is sharing criminal convictions. The other is sharing identity and fingerprint data. The first has been put on hold. The second carries on.

Thing one: conviction sharing, now paused

The countries known as the Migration 5, or M5, are Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. Their leaders agreed in April 2026 to pause a proposed exchange of their own citizens' criminal conviction data. The pause does not mean border checks have become lighter.

The existing arrangements were built around identity data for migration purposes. They do not pass conviction records to New Zealand Police, and members do not swap information about their own nationals under them. Later talks looked at using anonymised fingerprint data to query police or criminal record systems. New Zealand's view was that its law gives foreign agencies no basis to access police or court conviction data for immigration purposes. No biometric data or conviction records moved during that exploratory phase, and the working group has not formally met since a virtual session in March 2025.

So the brake was legal. Each country has privacy and criminal records rules, which do not automatically allow a partner's border agency to look into another country's justice system. Lawmakers would have to act first.

Thing two: identity exchange, still running

Automated biometric and identity exchanges continue. New Zealand has had agreements with most partners since the early 2010s, apart from the United Kingdom. In May 2025 the partners agreed a quality-control framework, with the first annual reviews starting in early 2026. New Zealand's review of the 2025 calendar year recorded no privacy breaches, no system access security problems and no accidental or improper disclosures.

The numbers show real activity. In the year to April 2026, Australia sent New Zealand more than one million traveller data requests, producing 676 fingerprint matches. New Zealand sent roughly 4,000 requests each to Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom and got 383, 340 and 283 positive matches respectively. Canada's and the United States' figures were redacted, and New Zealand's requests to the United States were withheld citing international relations. Few matches among many requests point to broad screening that flags a small share of cases, probably people already known to another member's immigration authorities.

What this means on your application

• Consistency. Because identity data is shared, mismatched names, birth dates or travel histories can surface across systems.
• Honesty about history. Applications typically involve police certificates and character declarations, and false statements can lead to refusal or bans. In Uganda, that usually means obtaining the Interpol police clearance when a visa asks for one.
• Patience with the news. Treat the pause as temporary.
• Order. Past applications, refusals and travel documents matter more when identity data moves between countries.

An up-to-date, accurate CV is part of that order, and Build AI CV can help you keep dates consistent. For related reading, see what net overseas migration means for visas and what skilled workers need to know. Our jobs page lists current openings.

A last practical point: keep one master folder, paper and digital, with every document in the form you submitted it. If a question comes later, you can answer in minutes instead of searching for old files.

Common mistakes that cause trouble

• Assuming the pause means less checking.
• Omitting an earlier visa refusal.
• Submitting a UNEB certificate or ID with details that differ from your passport.
• Seeking a "quiet fix" from an unregistered helper. For Australia use a migration agent on the MARA register; for New Zealand, a licensed immigration adviser.

Frequently asked questions

Does the pause mean my fingerprints are not shared?

No. Biometric and identity exchanges between the partners continue.

Is conviction data shared at all?

Not under the existing arrangements, and the newer idea has been put on hold.

Why does the match count look small?

It suggests a screening tool that flags a small share of cases among a large volume of requests.

Should I get advice?

If you have convictions or past refusals, yes, before you apply.

Key takeaways

• Conviction sharing is paused, identity sharing is not.
• Law, not interest, halted the proposal.
• Consistency and honesty protect your application.
• Complex histories deserve advice from a MARA-listed agent or licensed immigration adviser.

#migration 5 #data sharing #visa applicants #police clearance #identity data