Hongkongers seeking citizenship through BN(O) visa scheme may face more hurdles under UK plan to cut number of migrants by 300,000 people

British Home Secretary James Cleverly announces goal to achieve ‘biggest ever’ decrease in net migration by raising salary requirements and restricting dependants

He did not reveal whether changes would affect BN(O) visa scheme, but experts warn move could make it tougher for Hongkongers to access citizenship pathway

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The Tower Bridge in London. The UK announced the pathway to British citizenship for Hongkongers holding BN(O) passports after the promulgation of the national security law in Hong Kong. Photo: AP

Published: 10:00am, 6 Dec 2023Updated: 5:29pm, 6 Dec 2023

Hongkongers seeking citizenship through the British National (Overseas) visa scheme may face more hurdles, experts have said, after the UK announced plans to cut the annual number of migrant arrivals by 300,000 people by tightening employment and dependant requirements.

The move, announced by British Home Secretary James Cleverly, would restrict the number of dependants able to join their family members, raise minimum salary requirements and tackle exploitation to achieve the country’s “biggest ever” decrease in net migration.

But Cleverly did not reveal whether the new plan would affect applicants for the BN(O) scheme. The Post has reached out to the Home Office for comment.

Willis Fu Yiu-wai, immigration director at Hong Kong-based consultants Goldmax Associates, on Tuesday said Hongkongers holding the BN(O) visa in the UK might face challenges providing proof of income if authorities imposed the new requirements on them.

“Many Hongkongers opt for part-time jobs like being truck drivers in the UK, and may not have stable income and documents to show they reach the salary threshold,” Fu said. “Some of them live their life only relying on passive income from investments.”

The UK announced the pathway to British citizenship for Hong Kong residents holding BN(O) passports in July 2020, following the promulgation of the national security law in the city.

About 191,000 Hong Kong residents applied for the visa scheme between its launch in January 2021 and September this year, with 96.7 per cent – or 184,700 – receiving approval, according to the latest official figures in December.

From spring next year, immigrants will have to earn £38,700 (US$48,825) a year to obtain a skilled work visa, up from £26,200 currently. Foreign spouses wishing to join their partners in the country will need to earn the same amount.