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Record Surge in US Applications for British Citizenship Amid Trump’s Second Term

Over 1,900 Americans applied for UK citizenship in early 2025, the highest quarterly figure on record, as the UK tightens immigration rules under Keir Starmer's government.

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A copy of the British National (Overseas) passport arranged in Hong Kong, China, on Saturday, Jan. 30, 2021. Prime Minister Boris Johnson estimates about 300,000 Hong Kong citizens will take advantage of a new visa route to leave the former British colony and settle in the U.K., despite nearly three million people being eligible. Photographer: Paul Yeung/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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Overview

  • The UK Home Office reported 1,931 US citizenship applications between January and March 2025, marking the highest quarterly total since records began in 2004.
  • The surge follows Donald Trump’s re-election, with many Americans citing dissatisfaction with US politics and personal safety concerns as key factors.
  • Applications are notably higher among marginalized groups, including LGBTQ+ individuals, impacted by Trump administration policies.
  • The UK government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is introducing stricter immigration policies, including extended waiting periods for citizenship and higher language requirements.
  • The trend reflects a broader pattern of Americans seeking residency or citizenship in countries like Canada and Spain, driven by political and social unease in the US.