Kemi Badenoch has proposed a major change to the UK’s immigration system, suggesting that immigrants should wait at least 15 years before they can apply for British citizenship. The plan is part of her first major announcement as the Conservative Party leader and aims to tighten immigration rules.
Under the current system, most migrants can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years of working in the UK, with some visa holders qualifying in as little as two or three years. ILR grants the right to live, work, and study in the UK without time restrictions, and after holding it for 12 months, individuals can apply for British citizenship.
However, Badenoch’s proposal seeks to extend this process significantly.
In a video shared on her social media, Badenoch explained, “If you want to stay in our country permanently and apply for indefinite leave to remain, the time you have to live here before you apply would increase from 5 years to 10 years.” She also noted that after obtaining ILR, immigrants would need to wait an additional five years before applying for British citizenship, effectively making the entire process take a minimum of 15 years.
The proposal also includes stricter requirements for settlement. Those who claim benefits, rely on social housing, or have criminal records would be barred from staying in the UK permanently. Additionally, she mentioned that applicants would need to earn a high enough salary to be considered net contributors to the economy, particularly if they wish to bring family members.
Badenoch’s plan also seeks to impose a lifetime ban on citizenship for individuals who enter the UK illegally or overstay their visas. This means that anyone who does not follow proper immigration channels would never be able to obtain legal status in the country.
The Conservative Party wants these changes to be applied retroactively to 2021 by amending the upcoming Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill, which is set to be debated in Parliament next week. If passed, the new rules would impact many migrants who arrived in the UK within the last few years.
One of the key reasons behind the proposal, according to Badenoch, is to slow down what she described as a “conveyor belt” to citizenship. She noted that the current system allows too many people to settle in the UK too quickly, putting pressure on public services.
She told BBC, “We need to make sure that people coming here have a real, meaningful connection to the UK—no criminal records, they should be net contributors to the economy, not relying on benefits but people who care about our country and our communities.”
