UK citizenship applications have jumped to a new record high as “uncertainty” motivates migrants to secure their status. Home Office figures show that some 315,224 applications were made in the year to June 2026, the highest number in any 12-month period since data began in 2004. It also represents a 17% increase from the previous 12 months, with non-EU nationals making up nearly three-quarters of the new total.
Migration law shake-up looms
The jump comes as the Labour Government prepares to enact a major shake-up of migration laws, including stricter requirements for gaining indefinite leave to remain (ILR). No foreign national can apply for British citizenship without first having ILR, which is also known as settled status.
Most people with ILR in the UK can apply for citizenship after holding the status for 12 months. Migrants are currently able to apply for ILR after being in the country for five years, but under proposals unveiled in November 2025, this could be doubled in some cases and adjusted up and down depending on the situation.
Experts link rise to uncertainty
Nuni Jorgensen, of the Migration Observatory at the University of Oxford, said: “Research suggests that uncertainty can encourage migrants to secure their status by applying for citizenship.
“The higher number of people applying for citizenship partly reflects rising non-EU migration even before Brexit, as well as a gradual increase in the share of non-EU migrants choosing to become citizens since 2021.”
He added: “Among EU citizens the increase is particularly sharp and suggests a more sudden change in people's desire to become British. It is possible that Government and opposition party debates about restricting rights or removing people without citizenship may have played a role.”
ILR grants also surge
There was a 24% rise in the number of ILR grants in the year to June 2026, according to Home Office data, with the 199,628 figure the highest annual total since the year to June 2011.
The Home Office said the long-term increase in grants “reflects higher numbers of individuals granted indefinite leave, who subsequently went on to apply for British citizenship”.
