THERESA MAY will have to allow unlimited EU immigration until 2022 because a new border system will take “years” - a think tank claims.

The Institute for Government (IFG) said the “enormity of the task” meant post-Brexit controls may not be ready before the NEXT election.

5 The Tories have been under pressure over wobbling on immigration Credit: Getty Images

And it claimed as many as 5,000 extra civil servants would be required to deal with the huge number of citizenship claims and appeals from EU nationals.

The IFG adds that airport arrival halls and ports may need to be radically redesigned to cope with extra screening of EU visitors coming to the UK once we leave the bloc.

“The successful implementation of a new immigration system by April 2019 is unfeasible,” the IFG says. “Not just for government, but also employers, landlords and providers of public services.”

5 A new report says that a new border system will take years to put in place Credit: PA:Press Association

5 Theresa May insists immigration WILL be cut when we leave the EU Credit: PA:Press Association

“The UK could therefore be forced to keep the controversial ‘free movement of people’ for several years post-Brexit.”

The blast comes a month after the PM admitted free movement could remain in place throughout a three-year post-Brexit ‘implementation phase’.

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The Sun revealed two weeks ago that Home Secretary Amber Rudd was looking to introduce new ‘barista visas’ to ensure coffee shops and pubs are still fully staffed after Brexit.

High street stores, theme parks and manufacturers are also lobbying Government for concessions given the huge numbers of EU migrants on the payroll.

5 David Cameron set a target of getting net immigration below 100,000 - but that has yet to be reached Credit: EPA

The Institute of Directors lobby group on Thursday said it was clear the Home Office “doesn’t have the tools” to replace EU free movement with a tailor-made British immigration system.

Seamus Nevin, IoD head of employment and skills policy, said: “A sensible system will be key to the UK’s future success but designing one that strikes the right balance will take time.”

5 Home Secretary Amber Rudd is considering barista visas for low-skilled workers to come to the UK after Brexit Credit: EPA

There are an estimated 3 million EU nationals living in Britain. The IFG said that after a Brexit cut-off date, all eligible EU citizens would need to be provided with confirmation of their permanent residence.

But it pointed out the system is currently processing 135,000 a year. To process all EU nationals by March 2019, the Home Office needs to make 3,600 decisions a day – but is currently achieving 650.