'Earned Citizenship' Will Not Be Implemented, Says UK Government

09 Nov 2010

The ‘Earned Citizenship’ policy which was due to come into effect from July 2011 will be abandoned. Earned citizenship would require immigrants to apply for 'probationary citizenship' instead of permanent residence (indefinite leave to remain).

Currently, an immigrant living in the UK can apply for permanent residence after about five years, after which they can live in the UK indefinitely. However, there are chances of tightening the permanent residence requirements.

"If people enter this country saying that they will only stay here temporarily, then it is obvious that they should only stay here temporarily," May continued. "Working in Britain for a short period should not give someone the right to settle in Britain. Studying a course in Britain should not give someone the right to settle in Britain."