UK officials have recently made changes to the current rules for migrants interested in acquiring British citizenship. These changes include a trial period for potential new citizens, migration payments and tough penalties for those in the trial period who commit criminal acts.

Home Secretary Representatives said the new rules for citizenship are very specific and fair. They say the rules will protect both the rights and benefits of UK citizenship. The guidelines state citizenship will be available to those who can prove they have a desire to embrace shared values and a show a willingness to make a contribution to the community.

The changes affecting citizenship rules would be supported by a new law that is thought to replace all current immigration laws and will go before Parliament later in 2008.
If passed, the new naturalization requirements would give direction to citizenship which involves various stages including; the probationary time would delay full citizen benefits until migrants have completed the trial, the migrants proving they have improved their English speaking ability, and migrants who are proven to be guilty of criminal acts resulting in a jail are barred from applying for citizenship.

The law would also state that migrants who are guilty of only minor incidents during their trial period will be allowed to have their visa extended. It also says that migrants must contribute financially to a new fund designed to provide extra financial aide to communities experiencing negative changes from migration expenses. The law would grant citizenship more quickly to migrants who engage in volunteer work.

They believe the UK economy and communities are and will continue to grow stronger for the contribution of immigrants in the UK and officials think it’s important that the benefits of citizenship are balanced with responsibility to their new home.

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