UK confirms new path to British citizenship for millions of Hong Kong Residents

UK confirms new path to British citizenship for millions of Hong Kong Residents

The UK government has confirmed it will offer new residence rights to 2.9 million Hong Kong residents with British National Overseas (BN (O) status, following China’s imposition of a national security law. 

Under the new route, those who hold BN(O) status and their dependents will have access to limited leave to remain in the UK on a 5-year work or study visa, removing the current six-month time limit. 

After five years, individuals will be able to apply for settled status and, after a further 12 months, apply for British citizenship. Foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, has confirmed that there will be a simple application with no limit on numbers or quotas. Further, he commented that there will be no minimum salary threshold to obtain the visa.

The government will announce further details of the eligibility criteria, conditions of leave and application fees in due course.

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