Record surge in US citizens seeking UK citizenship amid political, tax changes

The number of Americans applying for UK citizenship reached an all-time high last year, driven by Donald Trump’s potential return to power and tax changes in the UK, leading to a surge in applications from US citizens in Britain.

According to a report in the Financial Times, over 6,100 US citizens applied last year, marking the highest figure since records began two decades ago and representing a 26% increase compared to 2023.

Total applications for UK citizenship also rose by 6%, reaching 251,000, another record.

Data released by the Home Office showed that applications from US citizens notably increased in the last quarter of 2024, rising by nearly 40% compared to the previous year, totaling approximately 1,700.

Immigration lawyers suggested that Trump’s participation in the presidential election in early November and the possibility of his victory, along with tax changes in the UK, encouraged Americans to seek British passports before leaving the country.

Elena Hinchin, a partner at the law firm Farrer & Co, stated that the political climate in the US was a “very significant factor” in the increased interest in residing in the UK. “Since the election campaign, we have definitely seen more interest in citizenship from the US. There is much more interest compared to the previous Trump administration,” she said.

Hinchin added that the UK’s abolition of the “non-dom” (related to individuals not residing in their home country) tax status also prompted some wealthy Americans living in the country to seek citizenship before leaving.

To apply for UK citizenship, an individual must have lived in the UK for five years or have parents with British citizenship.

They can also apply for citizenship if they are married to a British citizen and have lived in the UK for three years.

Home Office data indicates that applications from Americans have been steadily increasing since the end of 2022.