UK expands visa route to young Hong Kongers

Britain announces an expanded visa route that will allow teenage Hong Kongers born after the 1997 Handover to live, work and stay in the UK

Hong Kong teenagers born after 1997, with one parent who holds a British National (Overseas) Passport will be able to apply to live, work and stay in he UK.

The announcement was made by Home Secretary Priti Patel – who says the visa changes will come into effect in Autumn.

“The further changes I have announced, which will come into effect this autumn, will continue to deliver on our historic and moral commitment to the people of Hong Kong.”

PRITI PATEL, UK HOME SECRETARY

It’s an expansion to the already-existing arrangement that was announced in 2021 following the implementation of the Beijing-inspired National Security Law in the former British colony.

The UK las labelled the law as a clampdown on dissent and democracy in Hong Kong, and accused China of breaking the Sino-British joint agreement that guaranteed Hong Kong could keep its autonomy, freedoms and capitalist way of life for fifty years following its 1997 handover to China.

China in return said that it would no longer recognise BN(O) passports.

Almost three million Hong Kongers were eligible for the new UK visa route from January 2021.

So far, fewer than 150,000 people have applied.

The latest announcement will allow almost 12,000 more Hong Kongers to be eligible for the scheme if they so choose.

The British National (Overseas) passport – or BN(O) was issued to Hong Kongers when Hong Kong was still a British colony.

It allows holders of the passport to visit the the UK for an extended period, but does not offer them citizenship rights.