It has to do with giving expanded rights to Hong Kong residents with distinctive paperwork often known as British National (Overseas), or BN(O), passports, and to these thought of to be eligible for them. The UK created the passports earlier than handing Hong Kong again to China in 1997. They allowed holders to go to the UK visa-free for as much as six months, however didn’t robotically confer the proper to dwell or work there. Holders additionally weren’t eligible to entry public funds.
Former UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab advised the House of Commons in July 2020 {that a} new “bespoke immigration route” would permit holders of BN(O) standing to return to the UK with out the six-month restrict. They could be allowed to remain and work in the UK for 5 years. After that interval, they might apply for settled standing and, after an additional 12 months, for citizenship. Family dependents would even be allowed into the UK and there could be no ceiling on the numbers allowed to use. Applications have been opened from January 2021.
3. How profitable has it been?
As of Dec. 2021, some 103,900 Hong Kongers had utilized for the pathway to citizenship, with the UK authorities approving the overwhelming majority of these candidates. Total curiosity was working about 15% beneath the decrease finish of the authorities’s expectations, with candidates falling in the quarters after the program was launched. As a comparability, Hong Kong had an outflow of 89,200 residents in the 12 months via the finish of June 2021, contributing to a 1.2% drop in its whole inhabitants to about 7.39 million folks.
For every grownup making use of to enter the UK for two-and-a-half years, an utility price and well being surcharge price £1,740 ($2,124). That determine virtually doubles to £3,370 for these wanting to remain for 5 years. In addition, they must show they have the funds for to assist themselves and their household for a minimum of six months. Many folks with important financial savings and property wager the home on their transfer: Of 10 folks interviewed by Bloomberg News for an article in March 2022, most offered every little thing earlier than arriving in the UK, cashing in on financial savings that ranged from HK$500,000 to HK$5 million ($63,700 to $637,000).
There have been already about 350,000 holders of BN(O) passports earlier than the safety legislation was launched, in accordance with the UK Home Office. Others born earlier than the July 1, 1997 handover have been eligible, nonetheless, and the Home Office mentioned in 2020 it estimated there have been “around 2.9 million BN(O)s” in Hong Kong. That’s virtually 40% of the inhabitants. Those born after the handover haven’t been eligible however the UK authorities intends to develop the program in October to incorporate these younger folks born on or after July 1, 1997 and with a minimum of one mum or dad with BN(O) standing. This will permit youthful Hong Kongers to use immediately.
6. Why is the UK doing this?
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson mentioned China’s imposition of the nationwide safety legislation was a “clear and serious breach” of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration that paved the means for Hong Kong’s return to China in 1997. Speaking in the House of Commons in July 2020 after its introduction, he mentioned he’d made clear that if China continued down that path, Britain would introduce a brand new route for these with BN(O) standing to enter the UK. In an interview with Sky News the earlier month, Raab mentioned the UK was ready to sacrifice a free commerce take care of China to guard Hong Kong residents.
7. What has been China’s response?
The Chinese Embassy in London mentioned in July 2020 that the UK had beforehand promised it might “not confer the right of abode to Chinese citizens in Hong Kong who hold BN(O) passports.” All Chinese compatriots dwelling in Hong Kong counted as Chinese nationals, the Embassy mentioned. “If the British side makes unilateral changes to the relevant practice, it will breach its own position and pledges as well as international law and basic norms guiding international relations.” Two days earlier than the program launched, China mentioned it might not acknowledge the BN(O) passport as a legitimate journey doc and it reserved “the right to take further actions.”
8. Why didn’t Hong Kong folks get common British passports?
People born in Hong Kong after the 1997 handover, who have been each Chinese residents and everlasting Hong Kong residents, grew to become eligible for the new Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) passports. While then-Conservative Prime Minister John Major cited Britain’s “continuing responsibilities to the people of Hong Kong” in a speech in the metropolis in March 1996, at the identical time there was concern inside his Tory social gathering again residence about the potential scale of arrivals from Hong Kong, in accordance with Jonathan Dimbleby in his e-book “The Last Governor.” The BN(O)’s greater legacy may very well be elevated acceptance of migration from Hong Kong amongst the UK’s allies. Several nations together with the US, Canada, and Australia adopted its lead in making it simpler for migrants from Hong Kong to work legally and apply for residence.
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