British Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, has unveiled plans to enforce tougher immigration policies, including extending the waiting period for British citizenship applications to 15 years.
Badenoch, known for her outspoken views on Nigeria, recently outlined her proposed immigration reforms in a video. One of the key changes she suggested is increasing the duration migrants must wait before applying for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) from five years to ten.
As part of the proposed measures, individuals dependent on government benefits, reliant on social housing, or with criminal records would be permanently barred from settling in the UK.
“I want to reduce immigration and make living here actually mean something. We need to change the way our immigration system works,” Badenoch asserted.
Detailing the new approach, she explained: “So I am announcing that the conservative party is going to do the following things differently: 1. 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. 2. You will have to be a net contributor with a high enough salary, especially if you want to bring family members with you. And if you have a criminal record, you are banned.
“We would increase the time you can apply for a British passport from 12 months to 5 years, meaning it will take a minimum of 15 years to start an application.
“If you enter this country illegally or overstay your visa, you will be banned from ever getting leave to remain or a passport.”
Badenoch’s remarks, which were shared on X on Thursday, have sparked debate as the UK government continues to navigate immigration challenges.