Migrants Scramble for British Citizenship Ahead of Crackdown

Migrants are rushing to apply for British citizenship in record numbers to avoid future restrictions on settlement rights planned by the Labour Government. More than 312,000 refugees, migrant workers and their dependants applied for citizenship in the year to this March – the highest number on record and double the rate of eight years ago, according to Home Office figures.

A further 331,000 applied for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), the precursor to citizenship, in the two years to March, a record high and a 28 per cent increase on the previous two years.

The sharp rise in foreign nationals seeking British citizenship is the first evidence of the long-term impact that the record immigration in the “Boriswave” will have on British society, the welfare budget and public services.

However, immigration experts said it was being accelerated as migrants sought to secure citizenship ahead of plans by all the major parties to lengthen the time it takes to get British citizenship and make requirements tougher.

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The current rules require a migrant seeking citizenship to have lived in the UK for at least five years without having left the country for more than 450 days during that period. They must also be older than 18, pass a Life in the UK test, speak English to the equivalent of GCSE standard and prove they are of “good character”.

Shabana Mahmood, the Home Secretary, is proposing a crackdown that would see the time migrants are required to wait before they can get ILR doubled from five to 10 years unless they are high earners or working in the public services. Under current plans, the change will apply to migrant workers already in the UK.

Migrants could also be barred from claiming welfare benefits until they have been granted British citizenship, instead of the current position whereby they become eligible as soon as they gain ILR.

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Home Office figures show that the number seeking citizenship in the year to March jumped by nearly 20 per cent on the previous year, from 263,440 to 312,063.

Applicants from India comprised the biggest nationality, with 31,298 or 10 per cent, followed by Pakistan (23,423 or 7.5 per cent), Nigeria (15,747, or 5 per cent), Italy (15,130 or 4.8 per cent) and Poland (10,371 or 3.3 per cent).

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