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Written question asked by Pippa Heylings (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 19 May 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 22 May 2025 (named day). It was answered by Seema Malhotra (Labour) on Friday, 23 May 2025 on behalf of the Home Office.

Immigration Controls: British National (Overseas)

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the (a) five-year residency requirement for Indefinite Leave to Remain and (b) subsequent one-year period for naturalisation will remain in place for British National (Overseas) visa holders (i) retrospectively and (ii) prospectively.

Answer

The Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May 2025, announced new measures on a wide range of issues, including indefinite leave to remain.

This expansion of the Point-Based System will increase the standard qualifying period for settlement to ten years.

We will introduce reforms to expand the Points-Based System to both our settlement and citizenship rules, so they are based on contribution to the UK, with further details to be set out to Parliament by the end of the year.

Individuals will have the opportunity to reduce the qualifying period to settlement and citizenship based on contributions to the UK economy and society.

We will be consulting on the earned settlement scheme later this year and will provide further details at that stage.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
53277
Session
2024-26
Related items
Restoring Control over the Immigration System
Monday, 12 May 2025
Command papers
House of Commons
House of Lords
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Immigration controls Visas British national (overseas)
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk