British National (Overseas) visa programme

A pathway to British citizenship
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In July 2020, the British government offered Hongkongers with BN(O) status and their dependants a pathway to citizenship, in response to Beijing's imposition of the national security law. From January 31, 2021, they can apply for a visa to work or live in Britain for five years, before they are eligible to apply for citizenship.

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Politics
Why new UK immigration rules will hit Hong Kong BN(O) migrants hard
A Hong Kong community group has warned that new UK immigration thresholds could affect BN(O) migrants’ path to settlement. Photo: AFP
Politics
UK education, income rules likely to hit Hong Kong BN(O) migrants hard: survey
Community group urges UK to exempt existing BN(O) visa holders from tougher language and financial tests under new settlement criteria.
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More than 160,000 Hong Kong residents have moved to the UK under the BN (O) pathway since it was introduced in 2021. Photo: EPA-EFE
Politics
UK back-pedals on tougher English language test for Hongkongers on BN(O) pathway
Britain may also consider extending pathway to Hongkongers born after city’s return to Chinese sovereignty, who may not hold BN(O) passports.
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The UK government is proposing to impose stricter rules for obtaining citizenship. Photo: EPA-EFE
Society
Platform for Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders launches campaign against new UK rules
Sutton Hongkongers says people feel the UK government is ‘moving the goalposts’ by changing certain immigration rules.
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Britain launched the BN(O) migration pathway in January 2021 in response to the Beijing-imposed national security law. Photo: AFP
Society
Tougher English rules daunting for many Hong Kong BN(O) holders: veteran teacher
B2-level English requires understanding of complex passages, solid grounding in grammar and broad vocabulary, says teacher Pauline Chow.
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Britain launched the bespoke migration route in January 2021 in response to the Beijing-imposed national security law. Photo: Shutterstock
Politics
Hong Kong BN(O) holders’ 5-year pathway unaffected by UK immigration shake-up
UK announces major shift in profile of legal migrants, saying it is prioritising those who contribute to economy and play by rules.
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Britain has reaffirmed its commitment to Hongkongers it “repatriated” under a bespoke migration pathway. Photo: AFP
Politics
Fate of BN(O) scheme for Hongkongers uncertain despite UK’s latest commitment
UK to announce consultations later this week to discuss proposed changes to make asylum seekers wait 20 years, up from five-year requirement.
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The UK Home Office minister has said that the proposal to extend the settlement period for Hongkongers from five to ten years is subject to consultation. Photo Lynn Bobo
Education
Changing Hongkongers’ UK settlement period to 10 years ‘subject to consultation’
Home Office minister says Hongkongers are not only valued but have ‘a huge positive and lasting’ impact on British national life.
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The UK has received 166,300 people under the BN(O) scheme as of June. Photo: EPA-EFE
Hong Kong Economy
First batch of 600 Hongkongers granted UK settlement under BN(O) scheme
UK authorities also say that the country has received around 166,300 people under the scheme as of June.
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The UK government is planning to reinstate some form of extradition cooperation with Hong Kong on a “case-by-case basis” after suspending arrangements five years ago. Photo: EPA-EFE
Law and Crime
UK promises no extradition of resettled Hongkongers on political grounds
UK security minister Dan Jarvis stresses ‘extensive powers’ of UK courts to serve as gatekeepers.
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Britain introduced the new visa scheme in January 2021 for Hong Kong residents in response to Beijing’s imposition of a national security law on the city. Photo: AFP
Politics
Hongkongers on BN(O) visas rethink options over UK migration policy uncertainty
One student weighs moving elsewhere, while mother of two says she will feel ‘scammed’ if her children fail to get citizenship.
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The number of Hong Kong students studying in British independent schools dropped by 6 per cent, from 7,677 in the last academic year to 7,226 in the current term. Photo: Getty Images
Education
Number of Hong Kong students attending British independent schools drops by 6%
Annual census conducted by UK’s Independent School Council cites introduction of 20 per cent VAT as contributing factor.
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The Embankment in London is a popular for sightseers in the British capital. Photo: AFP
Hong Kong Economy
163,400 Hongkongers arrive in the UK under BN(O) visa since 2021
Number of Hong Kong residents moving to UK under bespoke visa has increased by 2,220, or 1.3 per cent, since December.
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The UK has not clarified whether Hong Kong’s BN(O) passport holders who have migrated or plan to move to the Britain under a bespoke scheme will be affected by new migration curbs. Photo: EPA-EFE
Society
Explainer|How will UK’s hardening stance on migration affect Hongkongers on BN(O) visas?
The Post reviews possible changes to UK immigration rules and what this will mean for Hongkongers.
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Parliament Square with the Elizabeth Tower, which is commonly known as Big Ben, in the background, in London. Photo: EPA-EFE
Europe
UK aims to cut immigration yet eyes new investor visa for strategic sectors
New special visa plans were being considered alongside making existing visa routes easier for investors.
The UK has not clarified whether Hong Kong’s BN(O) passport holders who have migrated or plan to move to the Britain under a bespoke scheme will be affected by new migration curbs. Photo: Getty Images
Society
Weigh ethical factors before tightening BN(O) visa rules for Hongkongers: report
Curbs on bespoke pathway unlikely to hurt Britain economically, UK advisory committee says.
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Visa applicants and their adult dependants would also be required to take English tests under the UK government’s plans. Photo: EPA-EFE
Society
Get a second job? Stick it out? Hongkongers on BN(O) visas rue rule changes
Uncertainty abounds as Hongkongers fear potentially facing unexpected costs, additional wait for MPF under UK’s tightening of immigration policy.
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People on the Millennium Bridge in London, with St Paul’s Cathedral in the background. The UK government said on Monday it would be adopting a tougher stance on immigration. Photo: AFP
Education
UK ‘committed’ to BN(O) visa route but lack of details worries Hongkongers
British Home Office declines to give more details on whether BN(O) pathway will be affected amid tougher stance on immigration.
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The plan is part of the measures listed in a white paper that the British government published on Monday to set out how it would tighten its immigration policies. Photo: Reuters
Society
‘Freaking out’: Hongkongers fret over BN(O) visas as UK hardens migration stance
Worries voiced over plan to double settlement qualifying period for migrants to 10 years and raise language requirements.
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More than 80,000 pupils departed Hong Kong schools between 2019-20 and 2022-23. Photo: Felix Wong
Education
Hong Kong schools record net increase of 4,500 students, reversing outflow trend
Reverse in fortunes for local schools follows departure of more than 80,000 pupils between 2019-20 and 2022-23.
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Hongkongers holding British National (Overseas) passports no longer need to obtain an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) document before travelling to the United Kingdom Photo: Fung Chang
Politics
Hong Kong BN(O) passport holders exempt from needing ETA to travel to UK
Amendment to immigration rules, suggested by migration and citizenship minister Seema Malhotra, has now been implemented.
All eligible non-European nationals planning to travel to Britain must obtain an ETA before their journey. Photo: Reuters
Politics
UK exempts Hong Kong BN(O) passport holders from needing ETA ahead of travel
Migration and citizenship minister Seema Malhotra says in letter the Home Office will amend the immigration rules ‘at the earliest opportunity’.
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In the 2023-24 academic year, 2,603 teachers from subsidised and grant-receiving primary and secondary schools left the profession as a result of retirement, resignation or other reasons. Photo: Shutterstock
Education
Hong Kong educators took out HK$8.7 billion from pensions in past academic year
Figure represents drop from peak of HK$10.7 billion in 2021-22, in sign that manpower crunch in sector is easing.
A patient is wheeled into the accident and emergency department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Yau Ma Tei on January 31. Photo: Jelly Tse
Hong Kong Opinion
Opinion|Time to ask if non-residents should have Hong Kong healthcare access
Hong Kong’s health system is creaking under an ageing population, and we must ask if it’s fair for non-residents to be treated like locals.
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Some immigration consultants in Hong Kong have said the Tories’ proposal could hit Hongkongers’ confidence in the UK’s commitment to the city. Photo: Reuters
Society
How worried should Hongkongers be over Tories’ tighter UK immigration plan?
Opposition Conservative Party proposes tougher immigration rules, panicking some migrants using BN(O) visa scheme.
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The UK’s Home Office last week proposed to increase four immigration fees, including the newly implemented Electronic Travel Authorisation application fee from £10 to £16, a 60 per cent increase. Photo: EPA-EFE
Politics
Hongkongers seeking UK citizenship decry fee hikes, fearing more set to come
Residents using BN(O) visa scheme face 40 per cent increase in associated fees compared with what authorities charged in 2021.
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Opinion
My Take|Britain must prove its commitment to the BN(O) scheme for HK migrants
While the UK needs to calm the headwinds gathering around immigration, it should also declare that the status quo for Hongkongers will stay.
SCMP ColumnistCliff Buddle
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My Take|More BN(O)ers find the UK more purgatory than heaven
Migrant numbers decline as Hong Kong people hear horror stories about the country of their former colonial masters.
SCMP ColumnistAlex Lo
15
My Take|How to ‘sludge’ HK migrants into leaving the UK and Canada
BN(O)ers and ‘streamers’ are no longer welcome. Too bad that the respective governments just will not or cannot say that out loud.
SCMP ColumnistAlex Lo
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My Take|Plan to toughen UK migrant rules is more hot air than hot policy
Hongkongers in Britain deserve clarity and commitment rather than the half-baked proposals presented by the new Conservative Party leader.
SCMP ColumnistCliff Buddle
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My Take|The UK should do more to tap into the talent Hongkongers offer
While many former residents have encountered difficulties since making the move, they will, if properly utilised, be of great value to their new home.
SCMP ColumnistCliff Buddle
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Being Chinese|How I transcended my Hong Kong identity crisis
I felt neither British nor Chinese growing up in Hong Kong. Travelling the world and living in Beijing helped me find my bearings.
Dennis Lee
11
My Take|BN(O) scheme more a cruel trap than ticket to paradise
For many, life under the migration scheme to escape ‘tyrannical’ Hong Kong has turned into a vale of tears.
SCMP ColumnistAlex Lo
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My Take|New British immigration bill has BN(O)ers running scared
Only time will tell whether proposed immigration changes will affect Hongkongers who have moved to the country under the scheme.
SCMP ColumnistAlex Lo
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My Take|Poll reveals the complex human story of Hongkongers in the UK
While their new life has not been a bed of roses almost all the BN(O) migrants say they intend to stay. Britain should make the most of them.
SCMP ColumnistCliff Buddle
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My Take|Expect coming waves of Hong Kong returnees from the UK
New British survey shows few find suitable work. No income or low earnings will diminish their chances of success at securing permanent residency in a country increasingly hostile to immigration.
SCMP ColumnistAlex Lo
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Inside Out|Hong Kong needs patience and a brave face for slog of economic recovery
Data suggests Hong Kong is starting to recover, with tourism, service exports and population numbers coming back up. But challenges remain, including eagerness of many in the West to write Hong Kong off.
David Dodwell
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Outside In|Like it or not, migrants rich and poor will shape our economic futures
Whether due to conflict, global warming or simply rich people trying to improve their lot, migration is almost certainly set to grow – and it’s likely to be the only way to replenish falling populations in the rich, developed world.
David Dodwell
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