UK Immigration Blog, Thoughts and Opinions

As of 6 January 2010 foreign nationals applying to renew or switch to a Tier 2/ Work Permit visa will be required to enroll their biometric information (photograph and fingerprints) and will be issued with an identity card confirming their identity and the right to live and work in the UK.

Foreign nationals who are being issued with identity cards are given the choice of providing their biometrics at 11 Home Office biometric enrolment centres around the UK or at one of the 17 participating Crown post offices (for a fee of £8). The partnership with the Post Office will provide extra capacity enabling the UK Border Agency to speed up the enrolment process and give more choice and convenience to migrants who wish to enrol.