UK ID card for application of ILR in Feburary,2009

[extrovert]

Hi

My spouse visa is expiring in Feburary,2009. I will need to apply for an ILR then. I have already passed Life in the UK test last year.
Whilst reading the news today I realised that I may need to apply for the ID card in November, 2008.

I wonder if anyone could please explain whether it will be compulsory to apply for an ID card in November, 2008 before I appy for an ILR in Feb, 2009?

What are the possible affects of that on ILR application or on naturalisation application when time comes.

Will passport superceed the ID card?

any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[vinny]

First ID card unveiled by Home Secretary as scheme builds momentum

Identity cards for foreign nationals

[thsths]

My spouse visa is expiring in Feburary,2009. I will need to apply for an ILR then. I have already passed Life in the UK test last year.
Whilst reading the news today I realised that I may need to apply for the ID card in November, 2008.

To be honest, so far the released information is highly contradictory. One source says that ID cards will be issued together with visas, another says they are a requirement before you can apply.

My guess is that the introduction will be late and riddles with technical difficulties.

To answer your question: it is probably best to check again in November, maybe by then the government is able to state in a consistent way what they are actually doing.

Will passport superceed the ID card?

No, and that is the "funny" part of the scheme. They give ID cards to people that already have a passport - whereas natives may have neither.

[AzimScot]

I think there still discussing it and maybe that date maybe gets changed.

[extrovert]

In my understanding of the latest news regarding ID card, it may be required for any FLR applications for overseas students and for spouse visa FLR visaa but may not be required for ILR application as ILR was never mentioned anywhere. Correct me if I am wwrong.