Kemi Badenoch has announced a new immigration policy, saying that immigrants should wait at least 15 years before they can apply for British citizenship.
As part of her first major plan as the Conservative Party leader, she wants to change the current system by increasing the wait time for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) from five years to ten years. Then, after another five years, immigrants can apply for citizenship.
She also said that immigrants who claim benefits, use social housing, or have criminal records will not be allowed to stay in the UK permanently.
“I want to reduce immigration and make living here actually mean something. We need to change the way our immigration system works,” Badenoch said in a video shared on her X (formerly Twitter) account. She explained that under her plan:
1. The wait time to apply for ILR will increase from five years to ten years.
2. Applicants must earn a high salary and be a net contributor, especially if they want to bring family members.
3. Anyone with a criminal record will be banned from staying permanently.
4. The wait time for a British passport will increase from 12 months to five years, meaning a total of 15 years before an application can start.
5. Anyone who enters the UK illegally or overstays their visa will be banned from ever getting ILR or a British passport.
Currently, most migrants can apply for ILR after five years of working in the UK, and after 12 months, they can apply for citizenship. If Badenoch’s plan is approved, the minimum wait time will increase from six years to 15 years.
She also wants these new rules to apply to people who arrived in the UK since 2021. This would be done by changing the upcoming Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill, which will be discussed in Parliament next week.
Badenoch believes the current system makes it too easy for people to get British citizenship, putting pressure on public services. She said her plan will help control immigration and ensure only those who contribute to the UK can stay permanently.
