UK immigration may speed up ID cards for foreigners

July 01 2009 by Mark Johnstone

Jacqui Smith, UK Home Secretary

The UK Border Agency has been asked by the Home Secretary to review its roll-out of the issue of ID cards to people moving to the UK, in an attempt to accelerate the process.

Some 50,000 people working, living or studying in the UK already hold an ID card for foreign nationals. It is the intention of the Home Office and of UK Immigration to require all non-EU nationals who intent to move to the UK for in excess of six months, or who are extending their stay, to be carrying an ID card within the coming three years.

The Home Office also intends to speed up the roll out of the ID cards to UK citizens who require them and has plans to make them voluntary for staff working at airports. The scheme will see airside workers encouraged to obtain an ID card free of charge in order to help officials verify their identity which is important for people working in airports for reasons of border and immigration security.

The process of rolling out compulsory ID cards for foreigners living and working in the UK is to continue being overseen by the Information Commissioner and the UK Border Agency’s Chief Inspector.

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