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UK sees surge in citizenship and settlement applications ahead of reforms
The Home Office said 199,628 people were granted settlement in the year through June 2026, a 24.0% rise from a year earlier, as citizenship applications hit a record 315,224.
The United Kingdom has seen a jump in migrants applying for citizenship and permanent settlement ahead of proposed reforms to residency rules, with data indicating a rush to secure status before qualification periods change. South China Morning Post, citing Home Office figures, said 199,628 people were granted settlement, giving them the right to live, work and study in the UK permanently, in the year through June 2026.
The same period saw 245,520 people granted British citizenship, while citizenship applications surged 17.0% to a record 315,224. The number of citizenship applications refused also rose, increasing 44.0%.
The proposed changes would tighten access to indefinite leave to remain, which provides permanent settlement rights and a route to citizenship. The reforms announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood would double the qualification period from five to 10 years, a move described as controversial within the governing Labour Party.