The number of Americans applying for British citizenship reached an all-time high last year as a result of Donald Trump coming into power and tax changes.

According to data released by the US Department of the Interior, last year, over 6,100 American citizens applied for British citizenship.

The application number reached the highest figure since records began twenty years ago, showing a 26% increase compared to 2023. The total number of applications for British citizenship increased by 6% to reach 251,000, another record. According to the ministry’s data, applications from American citizens particularly increased in the last quarter of 2024, rising to around 1,700, a 40% increase from the previous year. Immigration lawyers noted that the fact that Trump is participating in the presidential elections again in November, as well as the tax changes in the UK encouraging Americans to obtain a British passport before leaving the country, have contributed to this increase. Elena Hinchin, partner at law firm Farrer & Co. speaking to the Financial Times, said that the political environment in the US has been a “significant factor” in the increase in interest in residing in the UK. Hinchin stated, “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.”