Biometric residence permits to be issued with ILR
Biometric residence permits will be issued to more foreign nationals and people given indefinite leave to remain (ILR) from next February.The UK Border Agency (UKBA) will start to issue biometric residence permits to more categories of foreign nationals, which includes refugees, as part of the ongoing efforts to crack down on illegal immigrants. The changes will take effect on 29 February 2012.
The permits hold a person’t fingerprints and photograph on a secure chip. Around 600,000 of these permits have been issued since November 2008.
The permits are currently issued to any non-EEA national who is granted permission to stay in the UK for longer than six months. Under the new system they will also be issued to anyone applying from inside the UK to remain for more than six months.
Anyone who is granted ILR from next March will also be issued with a biometric permit.
The UKBA have also made arrangements with the Post Office to deal with the increased demand from foreign nationals submitting the required information. From next spring you will be able to provide fingerprints and have your photo taken at around 100 post offices across the country.
Employer checks
The UKBA have also announced that employers will be able to check the details of a foreign national’s biometric residence permit online. The new service will make it easier for employers to check if someone has permission to work in the UK.
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