The UK government intends to introduce a new category of residents – "conditional citizens", reports Lenta.ru citing The Guardian. A foreigner seeking British citizenship will have to live from one to three years in conditional citizenship status before obtaining a passport of the United Kingdom.
The duration of stay in conditional citizenship status will directly depend on the person's behavior and ability to integrate into British society and find a job independently. Moreover, for the slightest crime, the citizenship status will be revoked and the application for a kingdom passport will be rejected.
Conditional citizenship is being introduced in the UK in addition to existing migration rules and the English language test for those seeking naturalization in the country. Previously, an applicant for British citizenship had to live in the country from two to five years, depending on whether they were married to a citizen of the kingdom. Now the naturalization period will average 6 years. A foreigner can expect a maximum of eight years of residence in the country without citizenship.
Conditional citizenship will be introduced only for foreigners who do not have citizenship of the European Union. UK Home Secretary Jacqui Smith noted that this measure is the first in a series of migration control measures. Opponents of the innovations believe that the lengthy naturalization procedure will cause ethnic conflicts in the country.