· Unprecedented extension of visa rights follows
increasing restrictions on the rights and freedoms of the people
of Hong Kong by the Chinese Government in breach of the
Sino-British Joint Declaration
· New immigration rules will allow BN(O) citizens the
right to live and work in the UK for longer and give a path to
full British citizenship
· Decision comes on the 23rd anniversary of Hong Kong’s
handover and fulfils PM’s promise to ‘uphold our profound ties of
history and friendship with the people of Hong Kong’
Following the announcement by the Chinese Government that it will
impose a national security law on Hong Kong, the UK has confirmed
that new arrangements will be put in place for British Nationals
(Overseas).
The UK Government made a commitment to change the rules for
BN(O)s should China implement the new national security law first
proposed in early June.
This new bespoke immigration route will allow BN(O)s to come to
the UK without the current 6 month limit, granting them five
years limited leave to remain, with the ability to live and work
in the UK.
After these five years, they will be able to apply for settled
status and, after a further 12 months with that status, apply for
citizenship.
The new bespoke route for BN(O)s will be implemented in the
coming months, with exact date and further details to be
announced in due course. In the meantime, we will ensure British
National (Overseas) citizens who wish to come to the UK will be
able to do so, subject to standard immigration checks.
Foreign Secretary, , said:
“We will not look the other way on Hong Kong, and we will not
duck our historic responsibilities to its people. We will honour
our commitment to change the arrangements for those holding BNO
status and continue to stand up for the people of Hong Kong.”
Home Secretary, , said:
“China’s decision to impose national security legislation on Hong
Kong is deeply regrettable. Now China have imposed this law we
will launch a new immigration route for British Nationals
Overseas and their families.
“The UK has a historic and moral obligation to British Nationals
Overseas in Hong Kong and we will honour our commitment to them.”
The new Chinese legislation was imposed yesterday, and crackdowns
on the freedom of the people of Hong Kong have already taken
place with the arrests of those protesting the new law.
Notes to editors:
British nationals (overseas) status was created by Article 4(1)
of the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986 which came into
effect on 1 July 1987.
Under Article 4(2) of the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order
1986, adults and minors were entitled to be registered as British
nationals (overseas), and to hold a passport in that status if
they:
were a British dependent territories citizen
by connection with Hong Kong
would not have been a British dependent
territories citizen but for a connection with Hong Kong
· As of 24 February 2020, there are 349,881 holders of BN(O)
passports and the Government estimates there are around 2.9m
BN(O)s currently in Hong Kong.
· This scheme is for eligible BN(O) status holders and their
immediate family dependants.
· BN(O)s applying to the route will be subject to the Immigration
Rules around criminality.
