– LONDON, United Kingdom
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has urged that immigrants on temporary work visas who do not make a significant economic contribution to the UK return to their countries of origin upon the expiration of their visas, rather than being granted permanent residency.
In a formal letter dated July 13, 2026, addressed to the Home Secretary and co-signed by Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp, Badenoch called on the Labour government to maintain its previous proposal to extend the qualification period for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) from five to ten years. She warned against any exemptions for approximately two million immigrants who arrived on work visas since 2021, calling such a move a grave mistake that would undermine efforts to control immigration and manage public resources.
Badenoch emphasized that a ten-year period provides ample time to assess each individual's contribution. He argued that immigrants in low-paying or low-skilled jobs, or those who are unemployed and rely on social benefits, should not be eligible for indefinite residency. He pointed out that these positions could be filled by the approximately nine million economically inactive British citizens, thereby reducing the strain on public services and social welfare systems.
The letter underscores that holders of temporary visas do not have an automatic right to permanent residency in the UK. Badenoch stated that the government has the right to review residency rules at any time, even for those already in the country, without this constituting a retroactive change. He also highlighted the risk of increased claims for social benefits once immigrants obtain indefinite residency and, potentially, British citizenship, which would place a burden on taxpayers.
This stance aligns with the Conservative Party's broader commitment to prioritizing net economic contributors in immigration policy. By offering parliamentary support for the Labour Party's original plan, Badenoch has positioned the opposition as willing to collaborate on measures aimed at strengthening border control and ensuring sustainable migration that benefits the UK.