What should be the ideal requirements for British citizenship?

[AnxiousApocalypse]

In an ideal world, what would be required for someone to be deemed worthy of British citizenship? Of course, fluency in English. Should all foreigners who put themselves forward for military service be allowed a path to just residency or is that too much? Kemi Badenoch wants all immigrants who have claimed benefits and/or social housing to be ineligible for British citizenship. Should the government implement a policy that requires immigrants seeking British citizenship to prove their past and potential contribution to the state. How can this be done? I thought a criminal record disqualified people from gaining a visa to the UK, but I read that some of the Afghan people secretly resettled due to the data leak have criminal records.

@AnxiousApocalypseyou’re quite the busy bee on mumsnet today, aren’t you? Seems like we’re having an immigration themed day.

You sick bastard.😂

I agree with @orwellwasright2025 that the Australian pledge is better, and an understanding of what they are promising should be demonstrated before making the pledge, via prior 'examination' either through a conversation, or a written test: "From this time forward, I pledge my loyalty to Australia the United Kingdom and its people, whose democratic beliefs I share, whose rights and liberties I respect, and whose laws I will uphold and obey."

Anyone who has risked their lives by supporting our Forces overseas should be allowed automatic citizenship.

Apart from the regular things like proving a level of English language and a previous 'good character' ...

-Like Australia, economic migrants should prove and demonstrate economic autonomy - by combination of significant savings and/or a job paying at least, say, 28k a year.
-ALL should agree to have their DNA and fingerprints held on record.
-ALL should sign to agree that if they renege of their pledge, within 10 years of settling, they understand and agree that citizenship will be removed; any British passport removed; they will be repatriated - and their families will be give the choice of joining them in repatriation.
-Economic migrants should have self-funding private healthcare insurance, including for GPs, for a minimum of 5 years before 'joining' NHS.
-Nobody should be allowed to vote until after a minimum of 5 years citizenship.

Honestly? I feel like only skilled/educated workers should be able to be given citizenship. Pinpoint what skills are in high demand, and work backwards from there. If someone doesn’t have viable prospects of employment, don’t give citizenship.

Lack of Criminal record is key but immigrants can change their name/date of birth/country of origin so it’s somewhat hard to always gather proof of that/cross-country intelligence. I believe staff at the DWP & Home office who make decisions on eg entitlement to benefits, having the right to remain etc are junior staff that practically earn minimum wage. Immigrants don’t necessarily get robust background checks from senior investigators by default.

I worked with immigrants and many would refuse to learn English/work/engage with courses. They honestly can’t do much when they can’t speak the language, it’s a dire situation as it can lead to them being in vulnerable situations. They tend to engage with people who speak the same language as them who may not have their best interests at heart & they are vulnerable to being taken advantage of.

“Lack of criminal record” .. what is that criminal record was imposed by a corrupt regime, for protesting about sometime like, Basic Human Rights?

Especially the men!

Of course. Naturally.

Especially the men!

You’re too quick for me, @red!

I think criminal record in the UK is what people are generally talking about. I think most immigration panels can understand the foreign criminal record thing around protesting.

The thing is though the Manchester bomber, their dad was a Libiyan exile for protesting against the Libiyan government. He was also an islamist, someone who should never ever have been given asylum. Yet the UK has in the past given anti-regime people asylum without worrying whether they are protesting for democracy or something else.

To be tolerant and accepting of all other religions, cultures, races and nationalities - especially the culture of the country they are joining - British culture.
To not take offence, and actually be totally accepting, if other people don't adhere to their strict 'codes' of behaviour.
ie. women in England wear bikinis and are independent and can go wherever they like, whenever they like, with whoever they like. To not allow a woman to do this in England would be classed as abusive.

Oh god. Jellied eels. I'd fail.

So many British people haven't got mastery over their own language. It's embarrassing.

I mean I can't argue with this. It should be on the school curriculum too. With a GCSE or something. You could even finesse the scoring system to see if the candidate could start a conversation with a weather based opening and finish with an exchange of opinions on milk first or last.