ID Cards for more foreign nationals, as UKBA extend scope further immigration categories

The Uk Government is to extend the immigration categories for which Identity Cards will become a compulsary requirement.

In a news release on the Home Office website the UK Border Agency (UKBA) announced that “regulations laid before Parliament on 9 February mean that even more successful applicants for leave to remain from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) are expected to receive identity cards for foreign nationals”.

The cards replace usual the sticker or vignettes in passports and will need replacing if lost.

The regulations are expected be introduced, subject to Parliamentary approval, for a number of new categories including: Domestic Workers in a private household, Postgraduate Doctors, Visitors for private medical treatment and Academic visitors.

Those applying for further leave to remain (FLR) will be required to provide their biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) as part of their application from 31 March 2009.

Students and spouses and civil or unmarried partners of United Kingdom residents and their dependents were the first categories to receive the ID card from 25 November 2008.

From 31 March, the student categories will be amended to reflect the introduction of tier 4 of the points-based system. Anyone applying to extend their leave to remain or stay under this category will have to suppy biometrics at one of the UK centres.