- Safiu Kehinde
United Kingdom’s Conservative Party Leader, Kemi Badenoch, has proposed the extension of the period required to apply for British Passport from five years to 15 years.
This was part of the measures highlighted by Badenoch as means of tackling illegal immigration in the country.
The Conservative Party leader made the proposal in a post on her official handle on Thursday.
While maintaining that Britain is not a hotel but a home, Badenoch harped on the need to take stringent measures in dealing with immigration issues which include the extension of the British passport Application period.
According to her, immigrants must have lived in the UK for ten years before being legible to apply for citizenship.
The application process is also to take a period of five years as against the current 12 months duration.
Applying immigrants will also be required to be a net contributor and a high-income earner.
She, however, stated that immigrants with criminal records as well those living on benefits and social housing are not legible to apply.
Badenoch also warned that immigrants who gained illegal entry to the country or out stay their visa period will be banned.
“Britain is our home. It’s not a hotel. It’s time to tell the truth on immigration and propose real plan to do something about it.
“I want to reduce immigration and make living here actually mean something. We need to change the way our immigration system works. So, I’m announcing that that the Conservative Party is going to do the following things differently.
“One, if you want to stay in our country permanently, and apply for indefinite leave to remain, the time you have to live here before you apply will increase from five years to ten years.”
“Two, you will have to be a net contributor with a high enough salary. especially if you want to bring family members with you. And if you got a criminal record, you are banned.” Badenoch said.
“Three, if you’ve claimed benefits or need social housing, you can’t even apply.
“Four, we will increase the time before you can apply for a British passport from 12 months to five years- meaning it will take a minimum of 15 years to start an application.
“Five, if you enter this country illegally or outstay your visa, you will be banned from ever gaining leave to remain or a passport.
“These changes, on top of a numerical cap on numbers, will constitute the most robust changes ever made to our immigration system.” Badenoch said.