A new Visa will create a bespoke immigration route to enable British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) citizens ordinarily resident in Hong Kong, and their immediate family members, to move to the UK to work and study^[1]. These citizens will have access to the job market at any skill level and without salary threshold. This development came after China imposed a new security law in Hong Kong^[2], which it claims is necessary to prevent further protests like those that occurred in 2019. This new Chinese law makes “inciting hatred” of China’s central government illegal, and allows for closed-door trials and the wire-tapping of suspects, and could mean that acts such as damaging public transport can be considered terrorism. This law has therefore sparked suspicion both in Hong Kong and abroad, and has inspired the UK to implement a new immigration route for BN(O) citizens.

The new visa will allow BN(O) citizens to apply for two periods of 30 months’ leave or 5 years’ leave. Previously, BN(O) holders had the right to visit the UK visa-free for 6 months^[1], but the new visa provides these citizens with a pathway to full British citizenship, as they are able to apply to settle with indefinite leave once they have lived in the UK for 5 years.

Furthermore, BN(O) citizens do not need to have a valid Hong Kong passport, they must only have any applicable nationality passport^[2], although the Home Office may even be able to check status without one.

Other benefits of the new visa are that applicants need not have a job before arriving in the UK, and those convicted of offences related to the recent demonstration in Hong Kong will still qualify, despite having a criminal record^[3].

Home Secretary Priti Patel said this visa is an attempt by the UK to maintain their strong historic relationship with Hong Kong, and that the government “looks forward to welcoming BN(O) citizens to the UK”^[4]. Similarly, Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab stated that the UK “will not duck our historic responsibilities to the Hong Kong people”^[5]. For more information and guidance on this visa, visit the Gov.uk website here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/british-nationals-overseas-in-hong-kong

^[1https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-53503338

^[2]https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-secretary-announces-details-of-the-hong-kong-bno-visa

^[3]https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-china-53503338

^[4]https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-secretary-announces-details-of-the-hong-kong-bno-visa

^[5]https://www.gov.uk/government/news/home-secretary-announces-details-of-the-hong-kong-bn