Rollout of Biometric Residence Cards Announced

The Home Office has announced that biometric residence cards will begin to be rolled out, firstly as a pilot scheme from 28 April 2008. The cards are to be used as identity cards for foreign nationals in the UK. The full scheme is to be introduced at the end of the year.

When the scheme is fully operational any person who applies for an extension of stay, settlement or a residence permit will have to submit biometric information. This will take the form of ten finger scans and a live digital photograph.

As of 28 April those who apply in person (via the public enquiry office) at Croydon will be required to submit biometric information where they are a single applicant over the age of 18 and submitting either an application as a student (Home Office form FLR(S)) or on the basis of marriage (FLR(M)).  The Home Office is planning to extend this to all those under 18 and all dependents after 16 June 2008.

Some postal applications will also be subject to the pilot scheme. Those applicants living within specified London postcodes will also be required to provide biometric information as of 28 April in the circumstances set out above. Similarly this will be extended to those under 18 and all dependents after 16 June 2008.