London: Foreign nationals, including Indians, will have to have Identity Cards in the UK with effect from November this year, it was officially announced on Thursday.

However, for British citizens, the ID will be introduced from next year.

Fingerprints will be collected from foreign nationals before they are issued with a card, which will show details of the holder's immigration status and entitlements - whether they are allowed to work or access benefits, and how long they can stay in the UK.

Within three years all foreign nationals applying for leave to enter or remain in the UK will be required to have a card, as about 90 per cent of foreign nationals in Britain will covered by the scheme by 2014/15, the announcement said.

From 2009, the scheme will be extended to UK citizens. The first ID cards will be issued to people working in specific sensitive roles or locations where verification of identity will enhance the protection of the public.

This will start in the second half of 2009, with the issuing of identity cards to those working in the country's airports.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith and Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly will jointly chair a meeting of industry representatives to ensure the smooth introduction of these new measures.

From 2010, young people will be able, on a voluntary basis, to get an identity card, which will assist them in proving their identity as they open their first bank account, take out a student loan or start employment. Later that year the scheme will be opened to voluntary applicants of any age.

From 2011/12, all passport applicants will also be registered on the scheme as they apply for the new biometric passports containing fingerprints.

British citizens enrolled on the National Identity Register will be able to choose whether to have a passport or an ID card or both.

This will enable an accelerated roll-out of the scheme and, alongside nationals will be issued with identity cards by 2009/10. Fifty per cent will receive identity cards by 2011/12 with 90 per cent coverage by 2014/15.

Source : PTI