I think you'll find those granted permanent settlement or British citizenship weren't living in hotels. They were mainly on work visas or had family connections. See below: In the year ending June 2026, the UK granted British citizenship to 245,520 people. The vast majority of these grants were driven by individuals transitioning from work-related and family-based visa routes into permanent settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) before naturalising. A detailed breakdown of the leading visa pathways and the top recipient nationalities follows below. Visa Routes Leading to Citizenship Grants Citizenship is typically the final step of a multi-year "migrant journey," usually requiring a period of residence on an eligible visa followed by 12 months of permanent settlement. The primary pathways identified in the latest Home Office immigration statistics include: Work-Related Visas: This remains the most significant long-term driver for non-EU citizens. Individuals who initially arrived on sponsored employment or skilled worker routes represent the largest share of those transitioning to citizenship. Family-Based Visas: A substantial volume of grants—particularly for South Asian nationalities—stems from individuals combining work-related migration with family reunification routes over time. British National (Overseas) Route: Though a newer pathway established in 2021, the BN(O) visa route has become a massive contributor to permanent settlement grants (surging to 38,000 in the year ending June 2026 as the earliest arrivals hit their 5-year benchmark). This wave is expected to heavily drive citizenship naturalisations in the immediate coming years. EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS): For EU citizens, the primary pathway to citizenship continues to be transitioning through pre-settled status to full settled status, followed by naturalisation. [1] The top-performing nationalities granted British citizenship in the year ending June 2026 are structured by region below: Non-EU Nationalities India: 24,851 grants. Indian nationals consistently top the charts, largely progressing through professional work-related visas. Pakistan: 18,489 grants. Pakistani nationals form the second-largest group, traditionally utilizing a combination of work and family immigration pathways. EU Nationalities Italy: 12,698 grants. Italians represent the largest EU-specific cohort obtaining British passports. Romania: 8,285 grants. Romanians represent the second-largest group among EU nationals. Poland: 8,092 grants. Polish citizens complete the top three EU nationalities acquiring citizenship. Break down which visa routes led to the most citizenship grants. Detail the top nationalities that received British citizenship in 2026 - Google Search So what is the BN(O) visa route mentioned above? The Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) visa route is a dedicated UK immigration pathway that allows BN(O) status holders and their eligible family members to live, work, and study in the United Kingdom. Launched by the UK government on 31 January 2021 following the imposition of the national security law in Hong Kong, it offers a direct, stream-lined pathway to permanent settlement and British citizenship. Key Permissions & Conditions Stay Duration: Applicants can apply for a visa lasting either 30 months (2.5 years) or 5 years. Work & Study Rights: Holders can work in almost any capacity and study at all educational levels, including state schools. Public Funds: Visa holders cannot access public funds (benefits/welfare). Path to Citizenship: After 5 years of continuous residence, holders can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) / settlement. After 1 additional year with ILR, they can apply for British citizenship. what is the BN(O) visa route - Google Search
