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Number of Hongkongers applying for BN(O) visas more than doubles in first quarter against year ago, rise comes as city passes Article 23 law

  • UK government receives 29,571 out-of-country British National (Overseas) visa applications between January and March, 150.6 per cent increase over same period in 2023
  • Rise in applications coincides with passage of Hong Kong’s home-grown national security law

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People sit near the London Eye. So far, 144,400 Hongkongers have arrived in the UK since the BN(O) scheme was launched in 2021. Photo: AFP
William Yiu
The number of Hongkongers applying for Britain’s bespoke immigration pathway in the first quarter of the year has more than doubled over the same period in 2023, reaching almost 30,000, an increase that comes after the city passed its domestic national security law.
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The figure was the third-highest quarterly figure since the immigration route was launched in January 2021.

The United Kingdom government said it had received 29,571 out-of-country British National (Overseas) visa applications between January and March, a 150.6 per cent increase from the 11,800 logged in the same period last year.

So far, 144,400 people have arrived in the UK since the scheme was launched in 2021.

The latest rise in applications coincided with the passage of Hong Kong’s home-grown national security law.

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Authorities launched a one-month public consultation on the legislation, mandated by Article 23 of the city’s Basic Law mini-constitution, on January 30, and the law was passed on March 22.

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