Record Number of Americans Apply for British Citizenship After Trump Administration Launch
Immigration Expected to Continue Rising... Europe Implements Restrictive Policies
The number of Americans applying for British citizenship surged to a record high following the launch of the second Donald Trump administration.
CNN and The New York Times (NYT) reported on the 23rd (local time), citing statistics released by the UK Home Office, that 1,931 Americans submitted citizenship applications to the British government between January and March of this year.
This marks an increase of about 12% compared to the previous quarter and is the highest figure since quarterly statistics began in 2004.
Notably, the number of British citizenship applications by Americans had already risen sharply to over 1,700 in the fourth quarter of last year, coinciding with the period when the prospect of President Trump's re-election became more likely.
Applications for permanent residency in the UK by Americans also reached a record last year. More than 5,500 Americans were granted permanent residency in the UK last year, representing a 20% increase compared to 2023.
Gina Lucioa, an immigration lawyer at a specialist law firm in London, analyzed, "We are seeing an increase in inquiries and applications not only from American citizens but also from residents of other nationalities living in the US who are planning to settle in the UK," adding, "Due to the political situation in the US, we expect the number of immigrants to increase even further in the coming months."
However, CNN reported that while many Americans are seeking to move to the UK and other parts of Europe, this is becoming increasingly difficult in practice. This is because immigration policies in the UK and other European countries are becoming more stringent.
On May 12, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced new immigration restriction policies, including stricter requirements for skilled worker visas. These measures include extending the residency period required to qualify for permanent residency or citizenship from five years to ten years.
Italy has also recently passed a law restricting eligibility for citizenship applications to those with parents or grandparents who are Italian citizens.
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