Surge for UK Passport Applications Prior to Brexit Vote

There was a 14% hike in applications for British citizenship by European Union nationals living in the UK in the run up to the EU referendum, Home Office figures reveal.

The referendum campaign was dominated by the publication of net migration figures which showed annual net migration rising to a near record level of 333,000 in 2015.

However, more recent figures published by the Office for National Statistics show that annual net migration to the UK actually fell by 9,000 to 327,000 in the 12 months to March 2016.

The detailed figures also reveal a sharp dip in the number of overseas students coming to Britain in the year to March. This figure is down by 28,000 to 164,000 and is at its lowest level since 2007.

According to the statistics, Polish people have become the biggest foreign-born population in Britain, overtaking the Indian community for the first time. Those from Pakistan and Ireland living in the UK are now the third and fourth largest foreign-born communities.

Nicola White, head of migration statistics at the ONS, said:

"Net migration remains at record levels although the recent trend is broadly flat. The influx of Romanians and Bulgarians has also reached a new high, although that's offset by falls in non-EU immigration and from other central and Eastern European countries.

"Work remains the main reason for migration followed by study, which has seen a significant fall in the number of people coming to the UK for education."

If you need assistance applying for a British passport, or with any other immigration matter, speak to our Rochdale team today. Call us on 0800 810 1010 to discuss your circumstances.

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