British citizenship applications by US nationals hit record high

It has been proposed that migrants will have to “earn” the right to claim residency in Britain. Read more at straitstimes.com.

LONDON – The number of US nationals applying for British citizenship hit an all-time high in 2025, the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term in the White House.

A total of 8,790 Americans sought citizenship through either registration or naturalisation in 2025, according to Home Office data published on Feb 26, 42 per cent more than the previous high of 6,192 in 2024.

A record 2,490 applied in the final quarter of 2025.

“There continues to be a rise in interest from the US for those seeking global mobility options, and citizenship is a key part of that,” said Mr Nick Rollason, head of immigration at law firm Kingsley Napley.

Americans can apply for citizenship in Britain either through naturalisation – open to those who’ve resided in the country legally for at least five years including one year with settled status, or who have a British spouse; or through registration, which is open to people such as Commonwealth citizens, children born abroad to British citizens, or children born in Britain to parents who later get citizenship or settled status.

Mr Rollason said it was likely that changes introduced in 2022 allowing Americans with a British grandmother to apply for citizenship had helped boost the numbers.