Warner News
11/06/2010
Migrants marrying UK citizens must now learn English
Compulsory English language tests will be introduced for non-European migrants.
01/10/2009
Two new policy announcements for Tier 4
New policy for Tier 4 sponsors
Identity cards speeds up
From January 2010, skilled foreign workers under Tier 2 of the points-based system will be issued with identity cards. This brings the roll-out forward from April 2010 and will add around 30,000 foreign nationals a year to those currently being issued with identity cards.
Since their introduction, 90,000 cards have been issued, mainly to students renewing their visa under Tier 4 of the points-based system and those renewing marriage visas.
Today's announcement means that, in addition to accelerating the roll-out to include foreign nationals in the United Kingdom who renew their right to stay under Tier 2, the government has exceeded its target of issuing 75,000 cards by November 2009.
The UK Border Agency is also to trial technology at 17 Crown post offices to provide foreign nationals applying for identity cards with alternative and more accessible venues where they can enrol their fingerprints. The trials will start rolling out from October.
The Home Secretary said:
'Identity cards have been issued to 90,000 foreign nationals, exceeding our target by 15,000, a month ahead of schedule.
'By speeding up the roll-out of the cards, more people will benefit from a secure and simple way to prove they are entitled to live, work or study here and it will prevent those here illegally from benefiting from the privileges of Britain.
'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 enrol.'
Identity cards for foreign nationals who come to the United Kingdom from outside the European Economic Area were introduced in November 2008. Migrants are required to have their photograph and fingerprints taken, securely locking them to one identity and helping them to prove their right to live and work in the United Kingdom - while helping businesses to crack down on illegal working.
The introduction of the identity cards for skilled migrants and temporary workers under Tiers 1 and 5 of the points-based system will also be brought forward, from 2011 to 2010.
From October, foreign nationals who are being issued with identity cards will be given the choice of providing their fingerprints and photograph at one of the participating Crown post offices (for a fee of £8) or at one of the UK Border Agency or Identity & Passport Service Offices currently included within the scheme (which will remain free).
The Post Office will not be making decisions on whether someone can stay in the United Kingdom, and detailed checking of enrolment details will continue to be conducted by the UK Border Agency. The post office trial provides extra capacity for the UK Border Agency and gives customers an alternative for enrolment.
Alan Cook, managing director of the Post Office, said:
'The Post Office is very pleased to be supporting this trial, as our reputation for trust and the unparalleled reach of our network means we can offer secure and efficient transfer of personal data while the potential for earning additional income would help support and sustain the nationwide branch network.'
Regulations setting out the next stage of the roll-out of identity cards for foreign nationals will be laid in Parliament in October.
Other news items
- Migrants marrying UK citizens must now learn English
- Immigration scam couple look set to lose more than £600,000 of their ill-gotten gains.
- Two new policy announcements for Tier 4
- Citizenship ceremony conman jailed
- Identity cards speeds up
- Fine Dining at £10,000 per head
- The UK Border Agency Making Jokes Simply Isn't Funny!
- Migrant workers face tougher test to work in the United Kingdom
- Proposed fee levels for visas and sponsor licences in 2009/10
- Representatives of overseas newspapers, news agencies and broadcasting organisations.