Get 40% Off
🤯 This Tech Portfolio is up 29% YTD! Join Now to Get April’s Top PicksGet The Picks – Just 99 USD

Britain confirms details of visa offer for some Hong Kong citizens

Published 22/10/2020, 14:23
Updated 22/10/2020, 16:50
© Reuters. Protestors demonstrate in front of the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong

© Reuters. Protestors demonstrate in front of the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain confirmed details of its route to citizenship for almost three million people in its former colony Hong Kong, saying in a statement that there would be no quota on numbers and that a five-year visa would cost 250 pounds ($330) per person.

Britain made the offer to those with British National (Overseas) status and their dependents in July, after declaring that China had broken the terms of a 1984 handover treaty by imposing a new security law.

An economic impact assessment said there could be as many as 1 million visa applications from BN(O) status holders between 2021-2025, with as many as 500,000 in the first year alone, although it is expected that the actual numbers will be far lower.

It also suggested the influx would provide a boost to the economy of between 2.4 to 2.9 billion pounds.

The offer is open to BN(O)s who are usually resident in Hong Kong, the British government said in a statement, adding that it would provide a clear pathway to be granted British citizenship. The visa will be open for applications from Jan. 31 next year.

After Britain made the offer, China threatened to withdraw its recognition of BN(O) passports held by Hong Kong residents.

China does not recognise such passports as a valid document for mainland entry by residents of Hong Kong, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997. Instead, it requires them to use travel permits issued by China.

© Reuters. Protestors demonstrate in front of the British Consulate-General in Hong Kong

BN(O) status was brought in under a 1987 British law that specifically relates to Hong Kong. The government estimates there are around 2.9 million BN(O)s currently in Hong Kong.

Latest comments

Its really surprising how reuters has so much time to keep posting same report on brexit in different style for you never hear or read any news on brexit unless a substsntial shift has occured ot could it be reuters sepf made news as usual to only get attention... no one reads these rubbish old same news in the EU
Its really surprising how reuters has so much time to keep posting same report on brexit in different style for you never hear or read any news on brexit unless a substsntial shift has occured ot could it be reuters sepf made news as usual to only get attention... no one reads these rubbish old same news in the EU
Britain already has housing shortage. Where are these from Hong Kong going to stay? House prices will rocket and local people will even find it harder to buy
Will possibly increase London house prices, estate agents may get some much needed work
Limiting immigration was one of the key Brexit pillars. Hmmm... Brexit voters just got stuffed!
Lots of unfortunate corona dearhs pave way again to housing that also the case high sales in housing in the UK.... all from the dead unfortunate
Jokes, Why on earth someone wants to leave soon to be super power in the world?????
perhaps because they can be thrown in jail for many years for simply wanting to be able to choose leaders in a free, democratic society. China is the world's poison
Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.