Welcome to the world of Identity Cards

[John]

News on the UKBA website tells us :-

Identity cards for foreign nationals

From 25 November 2008 we will begin to issue identity cards to foreign nationals applying for further leave to remain in the United Kingdom under certain categories. The first cards will be issued to migrants applying as:

* a student; or
* the husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner of someone holding permanent residence in the United Kingdom.

Applications under these categories are made using application forms FLR(S) or FLR(M).

More information about the identity cards for foreign nationals project can be found in the managing our borders section. This information sets out:

* the reasons for introducing the identity cards:
* the importance of the cards;
* the benefits the cards will offer;
* how the card will be used;
* who will be issued with a card; and
* when the guidance for checking the card will be published.

Source : click here

[Wanderer]

Wonder if they'll be free, he said, expecting the answer 'no'!

[Wanderer]

Of course, I know realise the card will be issued as part of the FLR app!

[republique]

Wonder if they'll be free, he said, expecting the answer 'no'!
Of course, I know realise the card will be issued as part of the FLR app!

Are you conversing with yourself and answering your own questions?

[John]

Of course, I know realise the card will be issued as part of the FLR app!

That seems to be the case. However will the application fee for the FLR(M) go up?

Also, what does :-

someone holding permanent residence in the United Kingdom

-: actually mean? Does it mean someone who holds ILR or PR, or does it also include British Citizens?

[Frontier Mole]

The introduction of the foreign national identity cards is a multi staged process. The FLR lot being the first, new overseas app's were going to be next - some problems with that at the moment, then onto ILR holders and those with longer than 3 years leave to enter and on and on until the only people in the UK without ID cards will be the people of the UK! Most of our EEA friends have them at present.

Next great game - prove you are from the UK - "er would do but er ehm don't have an ID card. So that must make me a UK cit...." as you are pushed into the back of the Border Force van.

[John]

Hi Frontier Mole, that is useful. But are you able to clarify exactly who this first step is aimed at? That is, what exactly do they mean be "someone holding permanent residence in the United Kingdom"? What do the use of the words "permanent residence" mean, in that sentence? Are they talking about just someone who has PR status under EU/EEA regulations? Or someone who has ILR? Or indeed anyone? Including say someone who is a British Citizen?

And do you know about the fee situation? Is there going to be an additional amount payable for the ID card?

[jes2jes]

Hi Frontier Mole, that is useful. But are you able to clarify exactly who this first step is aimed at? That is, what exactly do they mean be "someone holding permanent residence in the United Kingdom"? What do the use of the words "permanent residence" mean, in that sentence? Are they talking about just someone who has PR status under EU/EEA regulations? Or someone who has ILR? Or indeed anyone? Including say someone who is a British Citizen?

And do you know about the fee situation? Is there going to be an additional amount payable for the ID card?

I can answer the second part after going through the old FLR(M) and the New Version (August 2008): The fee is the same with or without an ID card. It does not state if an applicant has to pay extra for the service. I envisage this is going to be free for the applicants being issued ID's with their current FLR application.

My gut feeling is that, going forward, any stand-alone application for ID cards eg. ILR holders and LTR holders who currently have stamps and stickers in their current ppts would be asked to pay a fee.

From going through the document published by BIA, I am of the mind that, by permanent resident, they meant ILR on the UK rule and not EU (PR) routes since the latter already get issued with a photocard.

My question now is, those who have applied and supplied biometric data in the past before 25th of November, are they going to be issued with ID cards by post as a backlog system? I am yet to find out and would share this information but if you know, let us know.

[Mr Rusty]

My understanding is that the scheme will apply to all foreign nationals who require leave to enter or remain. British Citizens have "Right of Abode", so it won't apply to them, or, I think, EU Nationals who can establish their right to live and work here by producing their national identity card.

I would guess that after a period where the majority of new applicants have been issued with these cards, they will set a cut-off date by which everybody else including those with ILR will have to apply.

Such a touching faith in the ability of little bits of plastic to control us all. The inevitable consequence of these measures will be a further increase in the fraudulent use of documents over which UKBA has no control - i.e. EU i/d cards and passports, unless they also introduce mandatory registration for EU citizens who are exercising their treaty rights, so as there is a database against which checks can be made.

[AlexCh]

Can anybody explain me - what the difference ID cards make comparing to the biometrical visa/leave to remain? Most (or probably all) employers do not have any special equipment to read data stored on the chip on the card - so for them it is nice printed piece of plastic against nice printed sticker in the passport?

On the other hand - police or immigration authorities can always check your finger prints and compare them with the stored biometrical data.

So - what is the difference? Apart of additional revenue...

[vin123]

A passport is relatively a difficult document to replace, when compared to ID cards.
Also, you are not expected to carry passport in your wallet when you are out and about, but soon be expected to carry ID cards as per the draft policies by the govt.
Re: biometric info(finger prints, retina scan) , the possibilities are endless in the both forms it just a matter of embedding them, and yes - serious money being spent !

Can anybody explain me - what the difference ID cards make comparing to the biometrical visa/leave to remain? Most (or probably all) employers do not have any special equipment to read data stored on the chip on the card - so for them it is nice printed piece of plastic against nice printed sticker in the passport?

On the other hand - police or immigration authorities can always check your finger prints and compare them with the stored biometrical data.

So - what is the difference? Apart of additional revenue...