Kemi Badenoch Proposes Stricter Immigration Rules for UK Residency

The Conservative leader's plan includes doubling the time to qualify for permanent residency and introducing new economic and behavioral criteria.

Under the proposed policy, immigrants must wait 10 years, instead of five, to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), with stricter conditions attached.
Applicants must demonstrate they are 'net contributors' to the economy, avoiding benefits, social housing, and criminal records during the 10-year period.
Migrants who entered the UK illegally or overstayed visas would be permanently barred from applying for ILR, even if granted asylum.
The policy extends the time required for citizenship application after ILR from one to five years, making the total path to citizenship 15 years.
Critics argue the plan lacks practical details, risks overburdening the Home Office, and may harm sectors reliant on low-wage migrant workers.