Kemi Badenoch has announced a major shift in UK immigration policy, revealing plans to impose stricter residency requirements for both indefinite leave to remain and British citizenship.

Under her proposal, the qualification period for indefinite leave to remain would double from five to ten years, with new conditions requiring applicants to have never claimed benefits or used social housing, maintain a clean criminal record, and prove their household is a "net contributor" to the UK economy.

Further tightening immigration rules, Badenoch also plans to increase the residency requirement for British citizenship from six to fifteen years—a drastic change aimed at ensuring only those with long-term ties to the UK can naturalise. Additionally, under her plan, anyone who enters the UK illegally would be permanently barred from ever applying for citizenship.

Speaking on the policy, Badenoch took aim at Labour, stating: "Our country is not a dormitory, it's our home. The right to citizenship and permanent residency should only go to those who have demonstrated a real commitment to the UK."

She insists these measures are necessary to reform the immigration system, but critics argue the policy could disproportionately affect long-term residents and fuel concerns over fairness. With immigration remaining a key political issue, Badenoch’s proposal is expected to spark intense debate in the lead-up to the next general election.

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