18th January, 2010

On the 6th of January 2010 identity cards began being rolled out to another category, this time skilled migrants and their dependents.

Compulsory identity cards were first issued to relevant categories of non-EU migrants by the UKBA in November 2008, after permission to extend their stay was granted.  The number of categories of non-EU migrants requiring the identity cards has doubled since its introduction in 2008.  Go to: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2010/January/02-immigration-applicants-icfn  to download a copy of the current ‘Applicant category table for identity cards'.  

Should an applicant in one of these categories apply to extend their UK stay they must first enrol their biometrics prior to UKBA deciding whether to give them permission to stay.  Assuming their application is successful the applicant will then be issued with an identity card.

The idea of the identity card is that it confirms an individuals right to work or study legitimately in the UK, their nationality, identity and UK immigration status.