Kemi Badenoch, leader of the UK Conservative Party, has announced a major shift in immigration policy, proposing that immigrants must live in the UK for at least 15 years before becoming eligible for a British passport.
Badenoch made the announcement in a video shared on her X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, stating that Britain is “not a hotel” and that tougher immigration rules are necessary to ensure the country’s long-term stability.
Under the current system, immigrants can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after five years of living and working in the UK.
After holding ILR status for 12 months, they can apply for British citizenship.
However, Badenoch’s proposed policy would extend the required time before applying for ILR from five to ten years.
Additionally, the waiting period between obtaining ILR and applying for citizenship would increase from one year to five years—meaning it would take a minimum of 15 years for an immigrant to become a British citizen.
She also introduced tougher restrictions, including a ban on immigrants with criminal records or those who have ever claimed social benefits from applying for UK citizenship.
Speaking in her announcement, Badenoch emphasized the need for stricter immigration controls.
“Britain is our home, it’s not a hotel. It’s time to tell the truth on immigration and propose real plans.
“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 will increase from five years to ten years.
“You have to be a net contributor with a high enough salary, especially if you want to bring family members with you. And if you’ve got a criminal record, you are banned.
“If you’ve claimed benefits or need social housing, you can’t even apply.
“We will increase the time before you can apply for a British passport from 12 months to five years. Meaning it will take a minimum of 15 years to start an application.
“If you enter this country illegally or outstay your visa, you will be banned from ever gaining leave to remain or a passport.”
The Conservative Party will debate whether the proposed changes should be applied retroactively from 2021 during next week’s parliamentary discussions on the Border Security, Asylum, and Immigration Bill.
In an interview with the BBC, Badenoch criticized the current immigration system, describing it as a “conveyor belt” to citizenship that places a strain on public services.
“We need to make sure that people coming here have a real, meaningful connection to the UK, so 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,” she said.
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Badenoch, who was born to Nigerian parents in the UK, became the leader of the Conservative Party in November 2024.
She has gained significant support for her tough stance on immigration, which has been a key issue in British politics in recent years.
Her proposed policy shift is expected to spark intense debate among lawmakers, immigration advocates, and the British public in the coming weeks.