US applications for UK citizenship have jumped significantly over the past year, increasing by a third (33%) in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
Over the past 12 months, there have been 7,347 US applications for UK citizenship. In the first half of this year, 4,125 applications were made – a 25% increase on the previous six months and a 33% increase on H1 2024.
The figures for the previous four quarters are as follows:
- 2024 Q3 – 1,499
- 2024 Q4 – 1,723
- 2025 Q1 – 1,931
- 2025 Q2 – 2,194
“These figures show that the trend of Americans applying for UK citizenship continues to increase. We’ve certainly seen an uptick in clients wishing to leave the US for the UK, with those clients expressing disquiet at the political discourse and the increasing social tensions in the US,” said Nick Warr, UK senior partner and private client partner at law firm Taylor Wessing.
While he said the figures could be seen as a boost for the UK chancellor and heralded as an “example of the attractiveness of the new residency-based tax regime” in the UK, this will unfortunately make little difference to Americans due to their worldwide taxation.
“While it is heartening to see an inflow, we are still seeing a significant imbalance between the immigration versus emigration, with another wave of people now leaving after the rumours of a wealth tax or exit tax. The real impact will be felt in the coming years,” he added.
