Date: 2025
Version: Draft – For Public Discussion
Introduction
Immigration policy must serve the national interest while upholding core values of fairness, security and respect for law. The British Democratic Alliance recognises the complex challenges surrounding immigration and its impact on public services, cultural cohesion, economic infrastructure, and national security. The following proposals seek to establish a clear, humane, enforceable and long-term framework to ensure immigration is lawful, manageable and beneficial to all residents of the British Isles.
Note: All changes made shall adhere to all responsible Human Rights obligations of the British Government.
- Legal Entry and Enforcement
Entry into the United Kingdom without explicit permission shall remain a criminal offence. This is necessary to maintain the integrity of our borders and the safety of our communities. All enforcement of immigration law must be carried out with due process, respect for rights under domestic law, and strict oversight to avoid abuse.
- Passport and Entry Requirement
- Any individual entering the UK without a valid passport shall be refused entry and automatically returned to the country of embarkation, regardless of circumstances. This policy is a baseline requirement for maintaining border control and ensuring identity verification.
- All foreign nationals entering the UK for any reason will be required to demonstrate they are covered by UK based, or otherwise approved, medical and public liability insurance. Failure to show proof of these will result in refusal of entry.
Note: Approved means a registered Insurance Organisation that can be verified and is so approved by the Home Office to provide such insurance services.
- Sponsorship for Employment
Any person seeking employment in the UK without permanent residential status must be pre-approved through a sponsored employment visa. Employers must be registered with the Home Office and demonstrate compliance with national employment laws, fair pay standards and tax obligations.
- Language and Integration Prerequisites
All prospective immigrants must have successfully completed a certified English as a Foreign Language (EFL) course of no less than 12 months prior to application. This measure ensures a minimum standard of communication and integration potential.
- Citizenship Eligibility Requirements
Applications for British citizenship shall only be considered after a minimum residency period of five continuous years, free from criminal convictions in the UK or abroad, immigration violations, or associations with political, religious extremism, or foreign intelligence services. All applicants will undergo security screening.
- Banned Travel List and Asylum Policy
Entry to the UK shall be denied to any individual from a country designated on the Banned Travel List. Exceptions apply only where individuals apply for asylum through a British Embassy or Consulate outside of the UK. No person arriving without asylum approval may lodge an asylum claim within the UK.
- Asylum Processing and Conditions
All asylum applications must be initiated and processed at a British diplomatic mission outside the UK. Unauthorised arrivals who seek to claim asylum after entry shall be returned to their last point of embarkation. They may then apply via the official embassy-based process.
- Annual Immigration Cap for Workers
A maximum of 50,000 foreign nationals per year will be permitted to enter the UK for employment or residency purposes, through a transparent online application system. Applications will be assessed based on national labour needs and integration readiness.
- Financial and Medical Safeguards
All approved work entrants must possess a UK-based bank account with no less than £25,000 in cleared funds to ensure financial independence. Comprehensive private medical insurance covering emergency and routine healthcare must also be held and verified annually.
- Access to Public Services
Foreign nationals without permanent residency shall not have access to public funds or NHS services, except in cases of life-threatening medical emergencies. This ensures public resources are prioritised for British citizens and permanent residents.
- Deportation Following Criminal Conviction
Any foreign national convicted of a crime (excluding non-serious motoring offences) shall be deported to their country of origin within 48 hours of sentencing. This measure ensures community safety and upholds the principle that guests in the UK must respect its laws.
- Comprehensive Visa System
Entry into the UK will be via a clearly defined online visa system. Visas will not be issued at point of entry and must be approved before entry – exceptions made for shipping. Visa categories will include.
- Tourism: – Free of charge
- Business – £100 per trip
- Students – £100 per 12 months
- Sponsored Work – £100 per 6 months
- Family Emergency – Free of Charge
- Ships Crew Visa – £10 per visit or £50 annually for unlimited port entry.
- Airline Crew Visa – £5 per person per year.
- Family
Although an individual may have been granted access to the UK, this does not automatically grant family members access. All family members must be cleared for entry in the standard way for all immigration applicants. Where application have children in their home nation, these must be declared at the time of their initial application if they wish them to enter the UK. All such entries must be completed within 12 months of the initial application. All family members wishing to enter the UK may only do so if the applicant has been granted citizenship after the approved period.
- Employers and UK Nationals
Employers and UK nationals shall face stiffer penalties.
- Engaging in any form of employment, paid or otherwise, any person who is in the UK illegally – £100,000 fine, with forfeiture of assets as necessary and up to 10 years imprisonment.
- Assisting any person to breach Immigration law – £100,000 fine, with forfeiture of assets as necessary and up to 10 years imprisonment.
- Assisting any person to enter the UK Illegally – £100,000 fine, with forfeiture of assets as necessary and up to 10 years imprisonment.
- Failure to report any person known to be in the UK illegally – £10,000 fine, forfeiture of assets as appropriate and up to 5 years’ probation with a ban on international travel.
- Five-Year Moratorium on General Immigration
To allow for the creation, implementation, and refinement of new immigration infrastructure, there shall be a five-year moratorium on general immigration. During this period, only student visa holders and sponsored business/work entrants will be permitted entry. This pause will enable public services, legal systems, and border enforcement to adapt effectively.
Within this period we shall lay before Parliament a new set of Bills.
- Immigration Visa and Enforcement Bill, to put this policy into effect. It will refer to the Border Force (Powers Act and the Immigration (Offences) Act.
- Border Force (Powers) Act to expand the powers of Border force, grant them the right to enter all commercial premises where they have a reasonable suspicion immigration related offences may be occurring, by application of a warrant of entry and investigation. Grant them the powers of Arrest of all persons in breach of any Act of Immigration statutes or UK nationals who obstruct, lie or otherwise impede lawful investigations into immigration breaches.
- The Immigration (Offences) Act. This shall detail all Immigration related offences for foreign nationals and UK citizens and create powers of enforcement.
Conclusion
This policy balances the moral imperative to treat all people with dignity against the need for clear national standards, public protection, and administrative order. It is neither extreme nor permissive, but grounded in reason, rights and realism. Through lawful immigration we can preserve the social contract, protect our institutions, and ensure the continued prosperity and cohesion of the British Isles.