220,000 Passports for incomers to the UK

The number of passports issued in 2009 is set to far exceed the previous high of 164, 540 immigrants.

ISuccesful applications for British passports are expected to reach an all-time high of 220,000 this year. The record for immigrants attaining citizenship for the year 2009 is expected to be significantly higher than 2008, where around 130,000 applicants were granted citizenship.

It is thought that the expectation of tougher rules to come is the reason for this significant rise.

The Home Office is looking at changing to a point-based system of citizenship to raise standards of selecting qualified immigrants.

In order to become UK citizens, applicants need to pass the British citizenship exam which is also known as the Life in the UK Test. Even UK nationals find some of the questions difficult and so revision using the "Life in the UK" question book is essential