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Britain is planning to tighten regulations on how migrants can achieve permanent residency by requiring applicants to demonstrate their worth to society. This includes the ability to speak English at a high standard, according to Interior Minister Shabana Mahmood on Monday.
The initiative is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to diminish the influence of the populist Reform UK party, which has been vocal on immigration issues and has compelled Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour Party to adopt more stringent policies.
Currently, most migrants can apply for “indefinite leave to remain” after five years of residence in Britain, a status granting lifelong residence rights.
In her first speech to the Labour Party conference as interior minister, Mahmood indicated that the government is contemplating reforms whereby eligibility for this status would depend on social security contributions, a clean criminal record, no benefit claims, proficiency in English, and a history of community volunteering.
“Time alone in this country is not sufficient,” Mahmood stated. “You must earn the right to live here.”
A consultation on these proposals is expected to launch later this year. This move builds on prior announcements that the qualifying period for residency would be extended to a baseline of 10 years.
Mahmood added that some individuals who have resided in Britain for over a decade might still be denied permanent settlement if they do not meet the new criteria.
Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage and leading in polls, recently suggested abolishing “indefinite leave to remain” in favor of a renewable five-year work visa.
Starmer accused Reform UK last Sunday of planning a “racist policy” involving mass deportations, clarifying that he did not believe their supporters were racist.
Legal experts express concerns that these new requirements could deter some people from moving to Britain, noting that mandating community volunteering could be difficult to verify.
Mahmood emphasized her willingness to be unpopular if necessary to prevent tens of thousands of people from arriving via small boats from Europe.
“We will need to re-examine some long-standing assumptions and legal frameworks,” she said. “Without control, it’s impossible to maintain an open, tolerant, and generous society.”
Immigration remains a deeply significant issue for British voters. Controlling the number of arrivals was a critical factor in the 2016 referendum to leave the European Union, yet net migration numbers reached record highs after Britain exited the bloc.
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