UK Immigration Rule: Indians Will Need To Apply For Biometric Residence Permit

29 Feb 2012

Indian citizens with permission to settle in the UK permanently will need to apply for a biometric residence permit (BRP) as part of changes in immigration rules intended to make it harder for non-EU nationals to work illegally and abuse the benefit system.

Many Indian citizens who migrated to the UK years ago and gained the right to settle here permanently did not opt for UK citizenship and retained their Indian citizenship. Such individuals will be covered in the latest changes announced today.

A BRP is a card which holds an immigrant's biographic details (name, date and place of birth); and 'biometric information' (fingerprints and facial image). It also shows immigration status and entitlements while in the UK.

Most categories of immigrants are required to apply and obtain BRPs. Immigration Minister Damian Green has now extended the requirement to include refugees and those with right to live in the UK permanently (called 'indefinite leave to remain').

The widening of BRP requirements to almost all categories of immigrants is intended to tackle immigration abuse by proving a person's right to work or access services in the UK, official sources said, adding that the number of foreign nationals issued with a BRP will double to 400,000 a year.

Since the BRP holds a person's fingerprints and photograph on a secure chip, it enables a "simple and quick check" about an immigrant's work and benefits entitlements. There have been several instances of immigrants who do not have the right to work in the UK being arrested.

The widening of the requirement to include refugees and those given the right to live here permanently will mean that all non-EU nationals applying to remain in the UK for more than six months will now be covered by the compulsory permits.

Green said: "This will help ensure only those with the right to be here can take a job legally in the UK and enjoy the services to which they are entitled. “The new measures are a deterrent to all foreign nationals who are looking to exploit the UK for personal gain by breaking the law".

From June, an online employers checking service for BRPs will enable employers, and later in the year public authorities, to run real-time checks on whether individuals are eligible to work or access services in the UK.

Source:

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/nri/visa-and-immigration/uk-immigration-rule-indians-will-need-to-apply-for-biometric-residence-permit/articleshow/12071373.cms