UK expands biometric residence permits to curb immigration abuse

United Kingdom, 28th February: The UK government is going to expand the Biometric Residence Permits in the nation for controlling immigration abuse.

This has been revealed by the UK Home Office.

UK to issue 400,000 BRPs annually--Giving details about the new step, the UK immigration minister Damian Green said it will be aimed to control undocumented immigration in the nation. New powers will lead to increase in the number of BRPs (Biometric Residence Permits) issued to foreigners each year. Green said the UK will issue a total of 400,000 BRPs annually.

So, the new improved system of mandatory BRPs will be applicable to all migrants hailing from non-EEA nations applying for staying in the UK for a period extending six months.

What are UK Biometric residence permits--UK biometric residence permits are meant to verify the right of a foreigner to stay in the UK. They include a photograph as well as fingerprints of a person and help in verification of the right to work and get benefits in the UK.

From June onward, all employers in the UK will get access to ECS (Employers Checking Service) online for UK biometric residence permits. This will help in verification of the individual’s right to work legally in the UK and get access to benefits. The same facility will be available to public authorities later this year.

The aim is to make sure only those foreigners who have the right to work in the UK get employment here and get services they are legally entitled to, immigration minister Green confirmed.

New UK immigration rules are a check on all immigrants aspiring to play with UK immigration norms for personal benefit, Green cautioned.

Since the launch of UK biometric residence permits in the year 2008, around 650,000 BRPs have been issued to foreign students as well as workers hailing from non-EEA wanting to live in the UK for a period exceeding six months.

The expansion of the UK BRPs will be assisted by the Post Office Ltd through a UK-wide network of biometric enrolment websites.

Already, there are a total of 17 websites helping foreigners in getting fingerprints and photographs and by April, nearly 87 additional Post Offices will begin offering this service.