It will take several years for the scheme to come fully into operation and for all eligible citizens to be enrolled. We will introduce biometric identification for foreign nationals in 2008 and we expect the first ID cards to be issued to British citizens in 2009. In the early stages of the scheme you will be issued with an ID card if you apply for a first adult passport or renew an existing passport. Later we will begin to issue stand-alone ID cards for people who do not want a passport.
If you are not a British citizen but live in the UK your residence permit, residence card or registration certificate will be in the form of an ID card (more about ID cards for foreign nationals).
The National Identity Scheme will eventually become compulsory. This means that all UK residents over 16 will need to have an ID card. However, you will not need to carry your ID card with you.
