“A person who applies for citizenship from 10 February 2025, who has previously arrived without a required valid entry clearance or electronic travel authorisation, having made a dangerous journey, will normally be refused citizenship.” – UK Home Office
The Home Office has been accused of quietly implementing policies that prevent thousands of refugees from applying for British citizenship if they arrived in the UK via small boats or concealed in vehicles.
According to a newly revealed source, the Home Office has introduced updated guidelines for staff assessing naturalisation applications. Under these new rules, individuals who have made a “dangerous journey” to the UK should be refused citizenship.
Concerns Over Policy and Legal Implications
The Refugee Council has warned that this strict policy could bar approximately 71,000 refugees who have been granted asylum from ever becoming British citizens. Critics argue that the policy breaches international law, particularly the UN Refugee Convention.
This development is being viewed as further evidence that Keir Starmer’s government is adopting a tougher stance on asylum seekers, a move seen as an attempt to counter the growing support for Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party.
Senior Conservative figures claim that the government’s new Border Security Bill, which passed its second reading on Monday, will repeal parts of the Illegal Migration Act. That act had previously blocked irregular arrivals from applying for British citizenship.
Political and Public Backlash
One Labour MP has joined charities in urging the government to reverse the new policy immediately. According to MSN, Labour MP Stella Creasy wrote on X:
“This should be changed ASAP. If we give someone refugee status, it can’t be right to then refuse them [a] route to become a British citizen.”
The changes, first disclosed by the Free Movement blog, were quietly introduced into the Home Office’s guidance for visa and immigration officials on Monday.
Described as a “clarification” of caseworker guidance regarding applicants’ “good character,” the new rule states:
“Any person applying for citizenship from 10 February 2025, who previously entered the UK illegally, will normally be refused, regardless of the time that has passed since the illegal entry took place.”
Another section of the guidance specifies: “A person who applies for citizenship from 10 February 2025, who has previously arrived without a required valid entry clearance or electronic travel authorisation, having made a dangerous journey, will normally be refused citizenship.
“A dangerous journey includes, but is not limited to, travelling by small boat or concealed in a vehicle or other conveyance.”
Impact on Refugees and the Immigration System
The majority of those who enter the UK via small boats eventually receive refugee status. Most of these refugees later apply for British citizenship. Currently, applying for UK citizenship costs £1,630, and there is no right to appeal a refusal.
Legal experts have heavily criticised the policy. Colin Yeo, an immigration barrister and editor of the Free Movement blog, commented on Bluesky:
“This is bad, full stop. It creates a class of people who are forever excluded from civic life, no matter how long they live here. It’s also a clear breach of the refugee convention.”
The UN Refugee Convention’s Article 31 states: “The contracting states shall not impose penalties, on account of their illegal entry or presence, on refugees.”
Read Also: UK Immigration: Foreign workers may face 15 year wait for citizenship
Read Also:UK govt targets student visa abuse: New immigration rules coming soon
Public and Advocacy Group Reactions
Enver Solomon, Chief Executive of the Refugee Council, condemned the policy, stating:
“This flies in the face of reason. The British public want refugees who have been given safety in our country to integrate into and contribute to their new communities.
“So many refugees, over many generations, have become proud, hard-working British citizens as doctors, entrepreneurs, and other professionals. Becoming a British citizen has helped them give back to their communities, and this should be celebrated, not prevented.”
The government insists that its approach to immigration will help retain Labour voters who might otherwise be swayed by Farage’s party. On Sunday, the government released footage of immigration raids targeting illegal workers. MP Diane Abbott criticised the move, stating:
“Trying to present ourselves as Reform-lite is a big mistake.”
Home Office Justification
Home Office insiders have said the changes were made to replace a ban originally imposed by the now-cancelled Illegal Migration Act. That act had previously disqualified refugees who arrived irregularly from applying for British citizenship.
A Home Office spokesperson defended the policy, saying:
“There are already rules that can prevent those arriving illegally from gaining citizenship.
“This guidance further strengthens measures to make it clear that anyone who enters the UK illegally, including small boat arrivals, faces having a British citizenship application refused.”
