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See other news storiesFirst identity cards are issued
24 November 2008
As of today, foreign nationals living in the UK can begin applying for identity cards.
Each applicant will have their fingerprints and an image of their face taken to lock them securely to one identity, and to help businesses crack down on illegal working.
Over the next three weeks, enrolment identity card centres for foreign nationals will open in Cardiff, Glasgow, Northern Ireland, Sheffield, Solihull and Liverpool.
Starting in Croydon, the first ID cards will be issued to people applying to remain in the UK as a student, or because they are married to a British citizen.
ID cards film
The Home Office has produced a film, explaining how the ID cards will work for foreign nationals.
You can watch it on the Home Office YouTube channel (new window).
Will be mandatory
Ultimately, identity cards will be mandatory for all foreign nationals. Companies will be required to keep records of the immigrants they have sponsored - including their contact details and a copy of their identity card.
All new foreign nationals and those extending their stay will have a card within three years. By 2015, about 90% of foreign nationals in the UK will have been issued with one.
Replacing paper documents
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the cards ‘demonstrate our commitment to preventing immigration abuse'.
‘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,' she said.
Tim Cowen, director of communications for NCP Services said the cards are 'good news for employers'.
‘Employers will, quite rightly, 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.'
Learn more
The UK Border Agency published Introducing compulsory identity cards for foreign nationals (new window) in March.
