Refugees could soon exploit a new loophole to fast-track their way to British citizenship after the Home Office opened up "a new, easier, cheaper route" to the UK.

The bombshell revelation comes after the department announced plans to raise the threshold for migrants to receive indefinite leave to remain in Britain from five to 10 years just a few months ago.

But under new rules launched last week, that number could fall by a fifth.

Migration Minister Seema Malhotra visited Belfast on Thursday to welcome the start of the British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024.

How 'refugees' can become British citizens through 'easy' shortcut thanks to new loophole

As part of the act, Irish citizens will face fewer barriers to becoming British - and won't even have to demonstrate English language proficiency.

Applicants will also see a more streamlined application process and will not be required to sit the "Life in the UK" citizenship test, while registration fees will be 50 per cent cheaper than for other nationalities.

Ireland allows "refugees" to apply for Irish citizenship, subject to a declaration as a refugee by the Minister for Justice, if they have lived legally in the country for three years.

If citizenship is granted, they can then obtain British citizenship after just five years under the 2024 Act.

As a result, a "refugee" can spend a total of eight years in Ireland and the UK before becoming a British citizen, two years earlier than the proposed new ILR threshold.

Migration Minister Seema Malhotra visited Belfast on Thursday to welcome the start of the British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024

Alp Mehmet, the chairman of Migration Watch UK, told GB News: "It is a loophole that the will likely be exploited more and more as time passes.

"It is one of the consequences of the British Nationality (Irish Citizens) Act 2024 which... will 'enable eligible Irish nationals who have made their home in the UK to fully participate in British society while maintaining their Irish citizenship'.

"Really? I wonder how many Irish nationals in Britain have had a problem participating in our society?

"Immigration to Ireland is at its highest level for 17 years.

"In the year to April 2024, there were 120,000 non-Irish immigrants, including asylum seekers. The number shows no sign of declining.

"The new rules will make it much easier for them, ultimately, to acquire British citizenship.

'It is a loophole that the will likely be exploited more and more as time passes,' Alp Mehmet warned

"For those who think this unlikely, I would point to the roughly 30 per cent of Somali refugees to the Netherlands who have come to the UK in recent years."

Malhotra, welcoming the Act coming into force, said: "The UK and Ireland enjoy a close and continued shared history and geographic links that have fostered deep cultural connections and family ties across generations.

"This new route represents the unique relationship between our two countries and builds upon the Common Travel Area arrangements that have benefited citizens of both nations for decades.

"I am pleased the route will enable eligible Irish nationals who have made their home in the UK to fully participate in British society while maintaining their Irish citizenship."