UK: Introduction of National Identity Cards to Expand Ahead of Schedule
UK: Introduction of National Identity Cards to Expand Ahead of Schedule
The UK Border Agency is seeking to accelerate the implementation of its new biometric national identification card for foreign nationals. If approved by Parliament, starting in January 2010 foreign nationals present in the UK under Tier 2 will need to apply for the new UK biometric national identity card when they apply for an extension of stay. Those in Tiers 1 and 5 will need to obtain the cards in late 2010.
The UK Border Agency (UKBA) announced yesterday that it will seek to speed up the implementation of its new biometric national identification card for foreign nationals. The accelerated implementation is still subject to Parliamentary approval. If approved, starting in January 2010, rather than April 2010, skilled foreign nationals present in the UK under Tier 2 of the Points Based System (PBS) will need to apply for the new UK biometric national identity card when they apply for an extension of stay. Those in the UK under Tiers 1 and 5 will need to obtain the cards in the end of 2010.
As reported previously, the new identity cards replace the immigration stamps and stickers currently being used. In November 2008, the card was phased in for spouses or partners of permanent residents and students and their dependents. In March of this year the program was expanded to cover several additional categories of foreign nationals, including students under Tier 4 of the PBS and foreign nationals seeking a transfer of conditions stamp for a new passport or other document, regardless of their immigration category.
The new cards include the holder’s photograph, name, date of birth, nationality and immigration status, and biometric details. The national identity cards will enable employers and sponsors to confirm authorization to work and study, and for the UKBA to verify identity. So far, the UKBA has issued 90,000 cards. Nationals of member-countries of the European Economic Area are not required to obtain the national identity card.
Obtaining the New National Identity Card
Foreign nationals who are required to obtain the new national identity cards do so when applying to extend their stay in the UK. Part of the process involves providing biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) at one of the UKBA’s authorized Biometric Enrolment Centres, located in Croydon, Sheffield, Solihull, Cardiff, Liverpool, Glasgow and Belfast or at an Identity and Passport Service Interview Office, located in Elephant and Castle (London), Brighton, Birmingham, and Derby.
Applicants can now make appointments for the Identity and Passport Service Interview Offices through the UKBA’s online booking service at https://ukbabooking.homeoffice.gov.uk/. The UKBA is also considering extending its mobile enrolment service, which is currently limited to individuals unable to travel due to medical reasons, to applicants willing to pay a premium fee to provide their biometric details at home or place of work or study. In addition, starting in October 2009, seventeen Crown Post Offices will begin allowing, on a pilot basis, individuals to submit biometrics on a walk-in basis. It is expected that the UKBA will provide additional details about this pilot program on its website in the near future.
The content of this alert is provided for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen Global Immigration Services or send an email to ukcaseinitiate@fragomen.com.
Source: Fragomen
Photo: Thomas Roche
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