The issue of identity cards to some foreign nationals commenced on 25th November and will be phased in over the next three years.
From this date any foreign national currently in the UK who applies for an extension of their permission to stay in the United Kingdom as students or as the husbands, wives or partners of permanent residents and dependants will be issued with the new card.
Other applicants will continue to receive a sticker (as now) in their passport, and the two systems will run alongside each other for a few years.
The card is evidence of the holder's nationality, identity and status in the United Kingdom. It is intended to help employers to understand what the migrant is entitled to and his/her right to work or study in the UK.
Sponsoring employers must check the card carefully. It will show the person's entitlement to work, study or access public funds. Guidance on this is available in our Management area with a downloadable PDF.
Although you are not legally required to check documents, we recommend that you do so for everyone you wish to employ. It will enable you to establish an excuse against payment of a civil penalty for employing an illegal worker, shows your recruitment process is open and transparent, and ensures your recruitment practices do not discriminate against anyone because of their race.
The introduction of identity cards does not change the checks you currently make on foreign nationals' right to be in the United Kingdom. Gradually, they will simply replace existing vignettes and other immigration status documents with a card that is more secure.
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