Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has announced sweeping changes to the UK’s immigration policies, proposing stricter requirements for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) and British citizenship.
The new measures, which were outlined in a video on the Conservative Party’s YouTube page, seek to reduce immigration numbers and tighten eligibility criteria, particularly affecting African migrants and other non-EU nationals.
Her proposals have been criticized as hypocritical, especially by Nigerians both in the U.K. and at home. Kemi Badenoch was born in Wimbledon, London, in 1980, but her family moved to Nigeria when she was a child. She returned to the UK as a teenager, effectively immigrating back to the country of her birth. This experience of moving to and settling in the UK qualifies her as a former immigrant.
Key Immigration Changes
Badenoch’s plan introduces five major policy shifts:
- Extended ILR Qualification Period: The required residency period to apply for ILR will increase from five years to ten years.
- Net Contribution Requirement: Applicants must prove they are net contributors to the UK economy, with higher salary thresholds for those bringing dependents. Individuals with criminal records will be banned.
- Stricter Benefit Restrictions: Those who have claimed benefits or require social housing will be disqualified from applying for ILR.
- Longer Wait for British Citizenship: The waiting period for naturalization after receiving ILR will increase from 12 months to five years, effectively making the minimum wait time for a British passport 15 years.
- Permanent Bans for Illegal Immigrants: Those who enter the UK illegally or overstay their visas will be permanently banned from obtaining ILR or a British passport.
Who Will Be Affected?
Impact on Benefit Recipients
Many new migrants are already ineligible for public funds due to the “No Recourse to Public Funds” (NRPF) condition, which applied to an estimated 3.3 million people by the end of 2023. However, exceptions exist for migrants granted leave under family or private life provisions, as well as British National Overseas (BNO) visa holders.
In 2024, 3,759 applications were made to lift NRPF restrictions due to financial hardship, with 1,246 approvals. Those benefiting from this exemption could now face new barriers to obtaining ILR.
Impact of the Net Contribution Rule
The government has yet to specify the exact salary threshold for proving net contribution to the economy. However, statistics indicate that immigrant men of working age have a higher employment rate (82%) than UK-born men (78%).
While this suggests that many migrant workers already contribute positively, family visa holders who are not primary earners could be at greater risk of failing to meet the requirement.
Political and Economic Implications
Badenoch’s announcement has sparked debate, with critics arguing that the policies disproportionately target African and other non-EU migrants.
The numerical cap on migration, combined with the net contributor requirement, may significantly limit access to settled status for lower-income families.
As the UK gears up for the next election, the Conservative Party is positioning these policies as a decisive step toward border security and controlled migration. Whether these changes will be fully implemented remains to be seen, but they mark one of the most restrictive immigration overhauls in recent history.
