1
Conclusion
Second Report - The UK’s offer of visa …
Acknowledged
In the 1985 Sino-British joint declaration the UK made a historic commitment to protect the freedom of the people of Hong Kong. Given the grave concerns of Governments, NGOs and human rights experts about the impact of the new security law on Hong Kongers’ freedoms we welcome the Government’s decision …
Read more
In the 1985 Sino-British joint declaration the UK made a historic commitment to protect the freedom of the people of Hong Kong. Given the grave concerns of Governments, NGOs and human rights experts about the impact of the new security law on Hong Kongers’ freedoms we welcome the Government’s decision to honour this promise through the creation of the British National (Overseas) visa route. This is a substantial and important recognition both of the gravity of the situation in Hong Kong and the commitments made by the UK Government to the people of Hong Kong. (Paragraph 39) People who are at risk of missing out
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government acknowledged understanding the committee's concerns regarding the eligibility and accessibility of the BN(O) route for younger individuals or those whose parents do not wish to apply, but committed to no specific action.
Read full response →
Home Office
2
Recommendation
Second Report - The UK’s offer of visa …
Acknowledged
We have heard that young people are among the most targeted citizens in Hong Kong owing to their increased participation in pro-democracy protests. They are also among the most vulnerable, particularly if they are estranged from their families because of their political opinions and/or have limited financial means which restrict …
Read more
We have heard that young people are among the most targeted citizens in Hong Kong owing to their increased participation in pro-democracy protests. They are also among the most vulnerable, particularly if they are estranged from their families because of their political opinions and/or have limited financial means which restrict their freedom to seek refuge. However, many of those involved in protests were born after the handover in July 1997 and are therefore not entitled to BN(O) status. We are concerned that this gap in the scheme will leave vulnerable young Hong Kongers at risk and unable to leave. The Government should therefore extend the BN(O) scheme to enable a young person with a BN(O) parent to apply separately from that parent, provided there is evidence of that parent’s status.
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government states it understands the Committee's concerns regarding eligibility and accessibility for the BN(O) route for young people who were too young to obtain status or whose parents do not wish to apply.
Read full response →
Home Office
22
Conclusion
Second Report - The UK’s offer of visa …
Acknowledged
Amending the scheme, and making the associated changes we have recommended in this report will enable the Government to improve the scheme further and help to ensure that it provides the genuine protection and assistance the Government set out to provide. (Paragraph 125) 38 The UK’s offer of visa and …
Read more
Amending the scheme, and making the associated changes we have recommended in this report will enable the Government to improve the scheme further and help to ensure that it provides the genuine protection and assistance the Government set out to provide. (Paragraph 125) 38 The UK’s offer of visa and settlement routes for residents of Hong Kong
Show less
Government response AI summary
The government welcomes the report, expresses gratitude for the acknowledgment of the BN(O) immigration route, and notes its success with approximately 64,900 applications received.
Read full response →
Home Office