UK IMMIGRATION NEWS

First Identity Cards Issued to UK immigrants

Wednesday, 26 November 2008

Foreign nationals in the UK can begin applying for identity cards from 25 November.

The card is evidence of the holder's nationality, identity and status in the United Kingdom. It will help understand what the migrant is entitled to and his/her right to work or study here.

All foreign nationals are required to have Identity cards by law. Employers have to keep records of the sponsoring migrants - including their contact details and a copy of their identity card.

Starting in Croydon, the first identity cards will be issued to people applying for extension of their stay in the UK as a student or spouse (or partner). All new foreign nationals and those extending their stay will have a card within three years. By the end of 2014/15 about 90 per cent of all foreign nationals will have been issued with one.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said:

"The first identity cards for foreign nationals along with the launch of Tiers 2 and 5 of the points system demonstrate our commitment to preventing immigration abuse and protecting the prosperity of the UK."

"In time identity cards for foreign nationals will replace paper documents and give employers a safe and secure way of checking a migrant's right to work and study in the UK."

Over the next three weeks enrolment identity card centres for foreign nationals will open in Cardiff, Glasgow, Northern Ireland, Sheffield, Solihull and Liverpool.

Tom Hadley, the Recruitment and Employment Confederation's Director of External Relations, said:

"Recruiters take their responsibility to validate an individual's right to work in the UK extremely seriously and support initiatives that enhance safe and ethical recruitment."

Tim Cowen, Director of Communications for NCP Services said:

"This is good news for employers. Employers will still need to make sure their systems for spotting forgeries are robust, but the biometric cards will cut down on fraud and make it easier for us to do this. Crucially, it will also help those who genuinely have the right to work in the UK get employment quickly - since it will be easier to check their identity and get them working."

If you are interested in UK Visas, contact Migration Expert for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you. You can also try our visa eligibility assessment to see if you are eligible to apply for a visa to the UK.