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LONDON: British government on Thursday unveiled a new ID card scheme in order to issue biometric identity cards to Indians and other foreign nationals applying for extension to stay in the UK from November 25. ( Watch )

The first ID cards for foreign nationals in the UK will be issued from November 25 and most of the foreign nationals will be covered under the scheme within three years, home secretary Jacqui Smith said while unveiling the design of the card.

The new credit-card sized document will carry the holder’s photograph, name, date of birth, nationality and immigration status. A secure electronic chip will also hold their biometric details, including fingerprints and a digital facial image.

“ID cards will help protect against identity fraud, illegal working, reduce the use of multiple identities in organised crime and terrorism, crackdown on those trying to abuse positions of trust and make it easier for people to prove they are who they say they are,” she said.

“ID cards for foreign nationals will replace old-fashioned paper documents, make it easier for employers and sponsors to check entitlement to work and study and for the UK Border Agency to verify someone’s identity. This will provide identity protection to the many here legally who contribute to the prosperity of the UK, while helping prevent abuse,” she added.

Inviting applications from November 25 from foreigners, the process will also kick start the introduction of National Identity Scheme.

“We are delivering on our commitment to introduce the National Identity Scheme in order that we can enjoy its benefits as quickly as possible,” Smith said.

Making it mandatory, the government expects to cover 90 per cent foreigners under the scheme by 2014-15.

To ensure the benefits of the programme, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) will start with categories that have been targeted by those wanting to abuse country’s immigration system, including students and married people seeking extension to stay.

The introduction of biometric cards for foreign nationals will be followed by the scheme of first ID cards for British citizens, targeting workers in sensitive roles and locations like airports from 2009.

The first card scheme is based on government’s tough Australian-style Points Based System for managed migration.

The cards will be available for young people from 2010 while for others it will be issued from 2011-12.

The scheme has been welcomed by various quarters including recruiters and academic institutions as it will provide a convenient and secure means to protect identity by locking it to one person using fingerprints.

“Recruitment professionals in the front-line of the UK labour market play an increasingly pivotal role in checking the identity, background and status of individual job seekers,” said Director of External Relations of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation Tom Hadley.

“Recruiters take their responsibilities to verify an individual’s right to work in the UK extremely seriously and support initiatives to enhance safe and ethical recruitment,” Hadley said.

source: Times of India – September 25, 2008