Americans apply for UK citizenship in throngs following Trump’s re-election

The number of Americans applying for British citizenship reached a record high in 2024, coinciding with the re-election of US President Donald Trump. More than 6,100 US citizens submitted applications, the highest figure since records began in 2004, according to data from the UK Home Office.

The increase marked a 26 per cent rise from 2023, when fewer than 5,000 applications were recorded. The surge was most pronounced in the last quarter of 2024, with over 1,700 applications, the highest for any quarter in two decades.

The trend is similar to 2020, when more than 5,800 Americans renounced their citizenship in the first half of the year, nearly three times the total from 2019. Analysts at the time linked the increase to tax policy changes and dissatisfaction with the political climate in the United States. Many of those renouncing their citizenship had already been living in the UK for some time.

Read also: Everything to know about Trump’s $5m ‘Gold Card’ citizenship path

Immigration lawyers noted that Trump’s re-election played a role in the latest surge in applications. Elena Hinchin, partner at Farrer & Co, described the US political landscape as “a very serious driver” of interest in UK residency.

The UK’s recent tax policy changes also contributed to the rise in applications. The abolition of the non-dom tax status led some wealthy Americans living in Britain to seek citizenship before leaving the country. “Many high-net-worth individuals are considering leaving the UK given the tax changes,” Hinchin said. “They want to apply for citizenship now so that they don’t lose the right to do so. It just keeps the door open and means more flexibility for their children.”

The eligibility criteria for UK citizenship include residency duration, parental citizenship, and marriage to a British citizen. Home Office data shows that applications by Americans have been rising since the end of 2022.

Some Britons have also been seeking alternative citizenship options. Following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union in 2016, the number of British citizens applying for Irish passports nearly doubled. An Irish passport allows visa-free travel and residency in EU member states.

Trump himself could apply for British citizenship through his late mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, who was born in Scotland and moved to the United States as a teenager in 1930.

Read also: Trump’s $5million ‘Gold Card’ to fast-track billionaires US residency

In response to growing interest from Americans seeking to relocate, some European communities have started outreach efforts. A village in Italy launched a website promoting its affordable homes to potential American buyers. “Are you worned out by global politics? Looking to embrace a more balanced lifestyle while securing new opportunities?” the website asks. “It’s time to start building your European escape in the stunning paradise of Sardinia.”

Immigration experts have noted continued interest in British citizenship since the start of Trump’s second term. Ono Okeregha, director at Immigration Advice Service, highlighted a “huge spike” in British citizenship searches the day after the US election, with sustained inquiries into citizenship and visa options.

Madeleine Sumption, director of the Migration Observatory at Oxford University, said Americans had shown increased interest in citizenship last year but noted that personal circumstances often influenced migration decisions. “For people moving from safe countries, politics tends to be a third or fourth order factor, not a key reason for moving on its own,” she said.

Data also indicates an increase in Americans seeking Irish citizenship, with applications from North Americans with Irish ancestry rising by 46 per cent last year. The trend suggests that political events and tax policy changes are driving some Americans to explore citizenship options beyond the United States.