First ID Cards Are Dealt Out

First ID Cards Are Dealt Out

All foreign nationals from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who successfully apply for an extension to stay in the UK on the basis of marriage, civil partnership or as a student will be required to apply for the cards from now on.
The standalone card will have a chip that holds a digitised photograph and fingerprint data, alongside biographical information.



ID cards will then be introduced in phases, beginning with compulsory rollout to airside workers at two UK airports at the beginning of 2009, and then a voluntary rollout to young people from 2010.

The provisions for requiring foreign nationals to hold ID cards were part of the UK Borders Act 2007. But separate legislation covers UK citizens.