The Home Office is speeding up the rollout of
ID cards to foreign nationals.
Skilled migrants renewing their visas to stay in Britain in the
New Year will be issued with ID cards. This is three months ahead
of schedule, which originally stated this would start in April
2010.
The next phase of the project will see around 30,000 foreign
nationals a year receiving cards, in addition to those who already
need to get them.
So far 90,000 cards have been issued, mainly to students and
those renewing marriage visas.
From October the UK Border Agency will trial fingerprint
technology at Post Offices, providing, the Home Office said,
"alternative and more accessible venues where they can enrol their
fingerprints".
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said, "By speeding up the roll out
of the cards more people will benefit from a secure and simple way
to prove they are entitled to live, work or study here.
He added the partnership with the Post Office will provide extra
capacity enabling the UK Border Agency to further speed up the
enrolment process.
ID cards for foreign nationals coming to the UK have been issued
since November 2008.