There are three different types of identity card: 

• The identity card for British citizens 
• The identification card for EU or European Economic Area citizens living in the UK
• Identity card for Foreign Nationals 

The identity card for British citizens

This is lilac and salmon in colour. The holder's nationality is featured, as this card can be used for travel within the EU/EEA and Switzerland. Click here for a list of EEA countries.

Identity cards are now available to British citizens who live or work in the Greater Manchester area. Find out more at www.direct.gov.uk/idsmart.

Card features:
The card's high integrity design incorporates security features compliant with European and International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards. In addition, the data on the chip will be protected, such that the data cannot be changed, modified or cloned

The back of the identity card is shown below

A PDf document of thes images can be downloaded using the links at the bottom of the page

The identification card for EU or EEA citizens living in the UK

This is turquoise and green in colour and does not contain the holder's nationality. This card can be used for identification purposes only. The identification card is not a travel document. Click here for a list of EEA countries.

Identity card for foreign nationals (ICFN)

 In November 2008, the first identity cards for foreign nationals began to be issued to people from outside the European Economic Area granted an extension of their stay in the UK as a student, or on the basis of marriage or a partnership. In March 2009, the scheme was extended to several other categories of applicants. .

All new foreign nationals coming to and extending their stay in the UK for more than six months will have a card within three years. It is estimated that by the end of 2014/15, about 90 per cent of all foreign nationals will have been issued with a card. As well as being an immigration document for foreign nationals, this identity card allows them to prove their right to live here and to work, study or access public services.

For more information and to find out which categories of applicant are currently affected, please see this section of the UKBA website.

Security features

The identity card is a highly secure document. Once someone who is presented with one as proof of age or identity has checked the security features and the photo on the card, they can be confident that the holder is who they say they are. We have provided a guide to the security features contained on the identity cards to help businesses and service providers make sure that the card in front of them is genuine.

You can download a copy of the security guide using the link below.

Identity cards for airside workers

Identity cards for critical workers are central to a strong personnel security regime in airports and elsewhere. The first of these will be issued to airside workers on a voluntary basis at London City and Manchester airports later in 2009.

Find out more about identity cards for critical workers here