Kemi Badenoch, leader of the UK’s Conservative Party, has urged the British government to retain plans requiring migrants to wait 10 years, instead of five, before becoming eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
In a letter dated July 13 and addressed to the UK Home Secretary, Badenoch argued against proposals that would exempt an estimated two million migrants who entered the country on work visas between 2021 and 2026 from the tougher residency requirement.
She maintained that reducing the waiting period would weaken efforts to strengthen immigration controls and could place additional pressure on the country’s welfare system.
According to Badenoch, a five-year pathway to permanent residency is too short, particularly for migrants employed in lower-paid jobs that she believes could be filled by economically inactive British citizens.
She insisted that permanent settlement should be reserved for individuals who demonstrate long-term and meaningful contributions to the UK economy, arguing that migrants who fail to make significant economic contributions over a decade should return to their home countries once their temporary work visas expire.
Badenoch also noted that obtaining Indefinite Leave to Remain provides access to welfare benefits and creates a pathway to British citizenship, warning that relaxing the proposed reforms could increase the financial burden on public services.
Her comments come despite official figures showing a significant decline in UK migration levels. Data from the Office for National Statistics indicates that net migration fell by 48 percent to 171,000 during 2025, while overall immigration also declined.
Additional government data shows asylum applications have reduced, deportations have increased and irregular migration through small boat crossings has dropped considerably, suggesting that recent immigration measures are having an impact.
The debate forms part of wider reforms introduced by the UK government over the past year, including tighter rules for international student sponsorship, the rollout of a fully digital eVisa system and higher visa application fees as part of efforts to strengthen border security and immigration enforcement.
