The government has today released more
information on the new Hong Kong BN(O) visa, which 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.
The government committed to open this new immigration route
following the Chinese government’s decision to impose a new
National Security Law on Hong Kong.
The new Hong Kong BN(O) Visa is a significant change to the
UK immigration system and will allow BN(O) citizens to
apply for two periods of 30 months’ leave or 5 years’
leave. This new immigration route will afford BN(O)
citizens the right to live and work or study in the UK and
gives them a path to full British citizenship.
In addition to providing a pathway for BN(O)s, this route
will also enable those born after 1 July 1997 to a British
National (Overseas) registered parent to apply to come to
the UK.
Home Secretary said:
The UK has a strong historic relationship with the people
of Hong Kong and we are keeping our promise to them to
uphold their freedoms.
BN(O) citizens will now have a choice to come and live,
work and study in the UK, building a new life for them
and their family.
We look forward to welcoming BN(O) citizens to the UK.
Foreign Secretary said:
Today’s announcement shows the UK is keeping its word: we
will not look the other way on Hong Kong, and we will not
duck our historic responsibilities to its people.
BN(O) citizens coming to the UK will have access to the job
market at any skill level and without salary threshold but
will not have access to public funds under this route. This
will enable those who want to live in the UK to do so and
become valued members of our society.
Those who come to the UK through this route will be able to
apply to settle in the UK with indefinite leave to remain
once they have lived in the UK for 5 years. After 12 months
with this status they will then be able to apply for
British citizenship.
In order for BN(O)s citizens to take up this offer they do
not need to have a valid Hong Kong BN(O) passport. They’ll
need a valid passport to show proof of identity, but this
can be any applicable nationality passport. They can use a
valid or expired BN(O) passport to show proof of BN(O)
status, however, if they do not have a BN(O) passport the
Home Office may be able to check status without one.
Those born after 1 July 1997 were not eligible to become
BN(O)s having been born after the UK’s handover of Hong
Kong.
The Hong Kong BN(O) Visa route will open from January 2021.
Eligible BN(O) citizens are able to apply for this route
both inside and outside the UK.
For those who wish to travel before the route opens, the UK
will ensure that BN(O) citizens who wish to come to the UK
are able to do so, subject to standard immigration checks.
A BN(O) citizen can come to the UK as a visitor for up to
six months without a visa, or apply for an existing visa
route. Eligible BN(O) citizens unable to meet the
Immigration Rules may be granted Leave Outside the Rules at
the border. Eligible BN(O) citizens will be able to switch
to the Hong Kong BN(O) Visa route once it is open, from
within the UK.
The creation of this new bespoke route is a demonstration
of the UK’s commitment to BN(O) citizens in Hong Kong.
More information on
the route and requirements can be found on GOV.UK.
