British Citizenship applications rose by 8% in 2017

The UK national statistics office released new figures on citizenship and permanent residence applications by EU and non EU nationals.  Since the Brexit referendum, there has been a record number of EU/EEA nationals applying for permanent residence and citizenship in the UK.

In 2017, 168,913 documents certifying permanent residence and permanent residence cards were issued. The majority of these (89%) were issued to EU nationals. This is the highest recorded annual figure and more than twice the figure for 2016 (65,068)

Total applications for British citizenship rose by 8% (to 141,302) in 2017 compared to the previous year. This was 39% lower than the peak in 2013 (232,262). Applications made by non-EU nationals fell by 12,756 to 102,774, and applications by EU nationals more than doubled from 15,460 to 38,528. There is an 149% increase in EU nationals applying for British citizenship.

Permanent settlement

Settlement relates to people, subject to immigration control, given permission to stay permanently in the UK. The settlement figures comprise people granted settlement on arrival and people who have applied for settlement having completed qualifying periods of residence in the UK in a category leading to settlement. The number of years an individual must have been in the UK before they can apply for settlement varies depending on the type of visa currently held; for example, currently 5 years for workers in certain routes. Those granted settlement are able, without restriction, to work or study, travel into and out of the UK, access state benefits, and register their UK-born child as a British citizen. It does not entitle the person to a British passport (which requires British citizenship) or to vote in general elections, which requires Commonwealth or Irish Republic citizenship.

British citizenship

You can qualify for British citizenship, if

• lived in the UK for at least the 5 years before the date of your application
• spent no more than 450 days outside the UK during those 5 years
• spent no more than 90 days outside the UK in the last 12 months
• had settlement in the UK for the last 12 months if you are from outside the EEA
• had permanent residence status for the last 12 months if you are a citizen of an EEA country
• not broken any immigration laws while in the UK

Total applications for British citizenship rose by 8% to 141,302 in 2017 compared to the previous year. This was 39% lower than the peak in 2013 (232,262).

Almost three quarters (73%) of citizenship applications are from non-EU nationals. Applications made by non-EU nationals fell by 12,756 to 102,774, and applications by EU nationals more than doubled from 15,460 to 38,528.

Applications for British citizenship, EU and non-EU nationals

Source: Gov.uk