The UK Parliament has passed a new law, the Deprivation of Citizenship Orders (Effect during Appeal) Act 2025, receiving Royal Assent on October 27, 2025, aiming to strengthen national security by closing existing legal loopholes related to British citizenship revocation. This legislation ensures that individuals stripped of British citizenship on security grounds will not automatically regain it after a successful initial appeal until all possible appeals are fully exhausted. The move prevents potential threats, including terrorists and extremists, from exploiting legal processes to return to the UK prematurely, thereby safeguarding public safety and national security.
Prior to this new law, individuals deprived of citizenship could have their status reinstated immediately after winning an initial appeal, even if further appeals were possible. This often led to these individuals being released from immigration detention or allowed back into the country while their legal battles continued. The law change also prohibits those facing citizenship deprivation from renouncing other nationalities to become solely British before appeals, a tactic that could have rendered them stateless and prevented their deportation.
In addition to closing this loophole, the government has revised the "Good Character" guidance effective February 10, 2025, intended to deter illegal entry into the UK. Under the new policy, any person applying for British citizenship from this date who previously entered the country illegally will normally be refused citizenship, regardless of how long ago the illegal entry occurred. This stricter approach applies even to refugees who may have sought asylum but entered without authorization.
These changes reflect the UK government's commitment to tightening immigration controls and ensuring citizenship is granted only to those meeting strict legal and security criteria. Security Minister Dan Jarvis emphasized that the government remains resolute in protecting the nation from those who threaten the safety, values, and way of life of the British people.
Notable cases highlighting this law's application include that of Shamima Begum, who was stripped of her citizenship for joining ISIS and remains barred from regaining her UK status.
These legislative updates mark a significant tightening of the UK's immigration and naturalisation framework, indexing national security as a paramount priority in citizenship matters.