Post Office co-opted to hasten ID card rollout

Alan Johnson meets UK border agency officials

The Home Office has brought forward by three months the rollout of ID cards for tier 2 skilled migrants - those whose employer needs them to transfer to the Uk from overseas.

From 1 January 2010 all skilled migrants renewing or applying for UK visas will be issued with an ID card.

The enrolment of skilled migrants and temporary workers under Tiers 1 and 5 of the points based immigration system has also been brought forward from 2011 to 2010.

The compulsory identity card for foreign nationals from outside Europe was introduced as legislation in November 2008, and the Home Office is targeting various groups throughout 2009 and 2010 to issue them with cards.

Under current roll-out plans any migrant extending their stay in the United Kingdom or visiting for more than six months will need to apply for an identity card by April 2011.

So far 90,000 cards have been issued, mainly to students renewing their visa under Tier 4 of the PBS and those renewing marriage visas.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson also announced today that the UK Border Agency is to trial technology at 17 Crown Post Offices where foreign nationals can enroll fingerprints for a fee of £8 in order to apply for cards.

"Our partnership with the Post Office will provide vital extra capacity enabling the UK Border Agency to further speed up the enrolment process and give extra work to help safeguard the Post Office network. It will also give more choice and convenience to migrants about where they can enroll," said Johnson.

Using one of the UK Border Agency or Identity and Passport Service Offices will remain free.

Regulations setting out the next stage of the roll out of Identity Cards for Foreign Nationals will be laid before Parliament in October.