More than 100,000 identity cards issued to foreign nationals

The UK Border Agency has now issued more than 100,000 identity cards for foreign nationals, mostly to those extending as students or spouses – and regulations laid this week will, if approved, accelerate the roll-out of the scheme.

From 6 January 2010, if the regulations laid in parliament this week are adopted, migrants from outside the European Economic Area will be issued with identity cards for foreign nationals when they extend their permission to stay for more than six months under Tier 2 of the points-based system. This means that they will need to enrol their biometrics (fingerprints and photograph) as part of their application to extend their stay.