Starting from February 10, the UK has introduced new immigration guidelines. It is clear that migrants entering the country illegally—whether by small boats or hidden inside trucks—will be denied British citizenship. This change applies to both individuals who have already arrived and any future arrivals.
The updated guidance revises the “Good Character” criteria. It states that those who make perilous journeys to reach the UK will typically be ineligible for citizenship. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals arriving by small boat or concealed within a vehicle.
In the past, refugees who arrived through irregular routes had to wait up to 10 years. Only after that could they apply for citizenship. However, under the new rules, anyone who enters the UK illegally will be automatically excluded from citizenship. This applies regardless of when they arrived.
This shift, according to the Home Office, aims to reinforce the government’s position. The goal is that individuals entering the UK without following legal channels will face stricter consequences. Notably, the guidelines specify that those arriving via regular commercial flights are not included in this prohibition.
The government insists that this move is part of a broader effort to strengthen the UK’s border policies. It aims to discourage dangerous, illegal migration.
