National Identity Scheme Delivery Plan Released
07/03/2008
The UK is set to introduce National Identity cards as part of their ongoing five key border security architecture.
The Border & Immigration Agency is speeding up the delivery of national identity cards with the introduction of the identity cards for foreign nationals introduced in 2008 and British citizens in 2009.
The identity card scheme will begin in November this year with introductions first for non-EEA foreign national. The immigration agency will prioritise by focusing first on those seeking to enter the UK enter or remain in the UK as a student or on a marriage visa.
Any foreigner who intends to enter the UK will be fingerprinted before they are issued the card. The identity cards are meant to serve as a security measure and will also include the holder's immigration status and entitlements - stating whether they are allowed to work or access benefits, and how long they can stay in the UK.
The BIA believes that by 2014/15 there will be around 90 per cent of foreign nationals in Britain covered by the scheme.
From 2009, the scheme will encompass all UK citizens. The first ID cards will be issued to people working in certain sectors where verification of identity will enhance the protection of the public. This will include issuing identity cards to those working airside in the country's airports.
In the next three years more and more people including the youth will be able, on a voluntary basis, to get obtain an identity card. Young people will benefit from having identity proof which will help them set up and open new bank accounts, taking out student loans or even when taking up employment for the first time.
The Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "The Government's National Identity Scheme means that for the first time UK residents will have a single way to secure and verify their identity. We will be able to better protect ourselves and our families against identity fraud, as well as protecting our communities against crime, illegal immigration and terrorism. And it will help us to prove our identity in the course of our daily lives - when travelling, for example, or opening a bank account, applying for a new job, or accessing government services.
"I want as many people as possible to enjoy the two key benefits of the National Identity Scheme - improved protection and greater convenience. And I want them to be able to choose how they participate in the Scheme as well - whether to have a passport or an ID card or both - so that they can enjoy its benefits as quickly as possible."
The National Identity Register will hold a small amount of personal biographic details separately from biometric fingerprints and photographs, making it incredibly difficult for anyone to steal or exploit another's identity.
The Government has already proved its ability to deliver a sound basis for the National Identity Scheme. Fingerprinting is already required for visa applicants to the UK and over ten million British e-passports have been issued since the end of 2006, containing an encrypted digital version of the holder's personal details and a photograph on a secure chip. (BIA Release)
The identity card scheme will affect foreigners applying under Tier 1, citizenship, student or work visas etc. visas for the UK. To find out more about the identity cards any of the visas to the UK, please fill out the Global Visas country eligibility form and a consultant will be in contact soon.
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