Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, pursuant to the Answer of 25 February 2025 to Question 30613 on British Nationality, whether victims of (a) trafficking and (b) modern slavery who are given leave to remain will have any citizenship application they make affected by whether they entered the UK via an irregular route.

A person who previously entered the UK illegally, or who arrived without a required valid entry clearance or electronic valid authorisation, having made a dangerous journey, will normally be refused citizenship, regardless of the time that has passed since they entered the UK.

However, when assessing good character, it is normally appropriate to disregard immigration breaches if it is accepted this was outside of the applicant’s control.

Citizenship applications will continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis, allowing for mitigating factors to be properly considered, such as where a person is a victim of trafficking or modern slavery. Where it is appropriate, an exceptional grant may be supported.