Immigrants Will Have to Pass ‘Good Citizen’ Test to Stay in UK

Home Secretary said immigrants must speak English to a high standard, among tougher new rules, to obtain the right to remain in the country.
Immigrants Will Have to Pass ‘Good Citizen’ Test to Stay in UK
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood MP speaks on stage during day two of the Labour Party conference at ACC Liverpool in Liverpool, England, on Sept. 29, 2025. Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images
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Immigrants coming to the United Kingdom will have to wait longer and fulfil tougher new citizenship criteria to be granted the right to remain indefinitely under proposals outlined by the government.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood told the Labour Party conference in Liverpool on Monday that “division within this country will grow” if her party fails to engage with people’s concerns about soaring levels of immigration.
Rachel Roberts
Rachel Roberts
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Rachel Roberts is a London-based journalist with a background in local then national news. She focuses on health and education stories and has a particular interest in vaccines and issues impacting children.