On Monday, February 9th, the British government announced that adult children of British Nationals Overseas (BNO) who were under the age of 18 at the time of Hong Kong’s handover in 1997 can now independently apply for UK immigration visas. Furthermore, their partners and children can also move to the UK through the expanded new rules.
This move by the British government not only fulfills its historical commitment to the people of Hong Kong but also reflects the continuing deterioration of human rights and freedoms in Hong Kong. On the same day, the British citizen and Hong Kong democracy activist, 78-year-old Jimmy Lai, was sentenced to 20 years in prison by the Hong Kong High Court. The Chinese Communist Party’s imposition of the National Security Law on the people of Hong Kong has led to the persecution of dissidents and democratic activists, forcing many to leave the city.
During a recent visit to China, the British Prime Minister raised the Jimmy Lai case with the Chinese Communist Party leader, Xi Jinping. Now that the verdict has been issued, the British government has stated that they will promptly engage in further discussions with the Chinese authorities regarding the Jimmy Lai case. British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has called on China to release Jimmy Lai on humanitarian grounds.
In response to the crackdown on Hong Kong citizens by the Chinese government, in 2021, the British government introduced a specific visa scheme for BNO status holders and their families. However, due to the requirement that underage children could only apply as dependents of their parents, some families’ children were left without proper arrangements. The expansion of the BNO visa scheme aims to address this loophole.
The British government has announced that over 230,000 Hong Kong citizens have been granted visas, with nearly 170,000 of them relocating to the UK. It is estimated that over the next five years, 26,000 more Hong Kong citizens will immigrate to the UK through this pathway.
Last November, British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood reiterated the UK government’s commitment to the people of Hong Kong, confirming that they will continue to have a pathway to permanent residency in the UK within five years (compared to the usual ten years for most other immigrants under new standards).
Mahmood stated that the British government will always uphold its historic commitment to the people of Hong Kong. In the face of ongoing deterioration of human rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, the UK government is expanding eligibility for asylum to enable more families to rebuild their lives in the UK. While restoring border order and control, the British people continue to welcome those truly in need of asylum.
In September last year, the UK government extended the Ukraine Residential Permit Extension Scheme (UPES) for another year during the Russia-Ukraine war, providing a safe haven for 310,000 Ukrainians and their families. Since 2021, the UK has also welcomed over 37,000 Afghan individuals and their families.
Under the new regulations, applicants must meet other eligibility requirements for this pathway, as well as pay application fees and immigration health surcharge.