Passports & immigration
Identity cards for foreign nationals
Identity cards for foreign nationals are the first part of the National Identity Service to roll out in the UK.
We believe the cards will be a critical element to our border security, and a useful tool for people who want to protect themselves from identity theft.
Who can apply for a card
The cards are being phased in by immigration category over the next few years. They are compulsory for foreign nationals from outside the European Economic Area.
Immigration applicants need to apply for their identity card as part of their immigration application. For information on which immigration categories are currently affected, you can download a table from the UK Border Agency website (new window).
As part of the identity card application process you will have a digital photo taken and provide your fingerprint scans. You can do this at one of several biometric enrolment centres around the country.
Find out more
Find out more about applying for an identity card as a foreign national on the UK Border Agency website (new window).
Identity cards film
The Home Office has produced a film, explaining how the identity cards will work for foreign nationals. You can watch it on the Home Office YouTube channel (new window).
