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See other news storiesID cards for foreign nationals unveiled
25 September 2008
The Home Office has unveiled identity cards to be issued to foreign residents in the UK.
First cards roll out in autumn
The first cards are scheduled to be issued 25 November. Within three years all foreign nationals applying to enter or remain in the UK will be required to have a card.
By 2014, 90% of foreign residents in Britain should have identity cards.
The introduction of national identity cards for foreign residents will be followed by the first ID cards for British citizens, targeting workers in sensitive roles - such as airports - from 2009.
Then from 2010 ID cards will be available to young people who want them.
From 2011, cards will be available to the general population.
See the cards for yourself
Watch a video about the launch of the ID cards on the Home Office YouTube channel. (new window)
Keeping the country safer
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said the announcement of the cards for foreign residents shows the government is fulfilling its commitment to protect identity.
'ID cards will help protect against identity fraud and illegal working, reduce the use of multiple identities in organised crime and terrorism, crack down on those trying to abuse positions of trust, and make it easier for people to prove they are who they say they are,' she said.
'ID cards for foreign nationals will replace old-fashioned paper documents, make it easier for employers and sponsors to check entitlement to work and study, and for the UK Border Agency to verify someone’s identity. This will provide identity protection to the many here legally who contribute to the prosperity of the UK, while helping prevent abuse.'
Building on other work
The cards build on the successful delivery of other work already done to strengthen the UK's borders.
So far:
- 2.8m visa applicants have been fingerprinted
- 3500 cases of identity swap in the UK have been identified and dealt with
- 12.5m biometric e-passports have been issued
