Record number of Americans apply for UK citizenship following Trump’s re-election

Tengrinews.kz – A record number of Americans have applied for British citizenship following the re-election of Donald Trump, of 2024, coinciding with Trump securing another term as U.S. president.

A similar trend was observed in the first half of 2020, when over 5,800 Americans renounced their citizenship - nearly three times the total for all of 2019. Analysts at the time attributed the spike to changes in tax policy during Trump's first term, with most applicants being long-term U.K. residents.

While some Americans cite the political environment as a reason for seeking alternative citizenship, experts suggest that tax considerations often play a significant role.

Interestingly, Donald Trump himself could have applied for British citizenship through his late mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, who was born and raised in Scotland before immigrating to the U.S. at 17 to work as a domestic servant in 1930.

Meanwhile, the trend of British citizens seeking alternative passports continues. Since the 2016 Brexit vote, the number of British nationals applying for Irish passports has nearly doubled, as the document allows them to live, work, and travel freely across the European Union.

Amid these shifts, Trump has announced that the U.S. will soon introduce 'golden cards', which will grant holders the right to live and work in America and pave the way for U.S. citizenship. The program is expected to launch in two weeks.