Source · Select Committees · Home Affairs Committee
Second Report - The UK’s offer of visa and settlement routes for residents of Hong Kong
Home Affairs Committee
HC 191
Published 7 July 2021
Recommendations
7
Deferred
Para 68
Establish expert casework team and ensure policy recognises politically-motivated Hong Kong convictions
Recommendation
Home Office caseworkers should be trained and regularly updated on the developing situation in Hong Kong. The Government must provide assurances that the criminality policy and associated guidance for caseworkers explicitly recognise that convictions and the designation of certain convictions …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response deflected by stating that the UK grants protection according to international obligations and that asylum claims made within the UK are determined on a case-by-case basis, without addressing specific recommendations on BN(O) caseworker training, policy for politically motivated convictions, or establishing an expert team.
Home Office
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12
Deferred
Consider providing domestic higher education fees for Hong Kong students in the UK.
Recommendation
We recommend that, on grounds of the unique historical relationship between the UK and Hong Kong, the Government should consider providing for Hong Kong students to be charged domestic fees for higher education in the UK. (Paragraph 90) 36 The …
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Government Response Summary
The government responds by discussing the BN(O) casework team and their training, which is unrelated to the recommendation for Hong Kong students to be charged domestic higher education fees.
Home Office
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14
Deferred
Para 97
Establish dedicated casework team for Hong Kong asylum applications and update country policy note within eight weeks.
Recommendation
The UK has a proud record of providing asylum to individuals who need it, from many parts of the world. A failure to provide effective and timely consideration to asylum seekers from Hong Kong would damage this record, as well …
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Government Response Summary
The government discusses the setting of visa, immigration, and citizenship fees, which is unrelated to the recommendation for a dedicated asylum casework team for Hong Kong and updated country policy notes.
Home Office
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15
Deferred
Review communication plan to publicise BN(O) visa route and scheme enhancements effectively.
Recommendation
The Government must provide further assurances of the practical steps it is taking to welcome BN(O) citizens and to ensure they are aware of the scheme. The Government should review its communication plan to ensure that the new visa route …
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Government Response Summary
The government discusses the setting of visa, immigration, and citizenship fees, which is unrelated to the recommendation for assurances on welcoming BN(O) citizens and reviewing communication plans for the scheme.
Home Office
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16
Deferred
Para 119
Ensure robust plan for integration and employment support for arriving BN(O) visa holders.
Recommendation
Integration support for newly arriving Hong Kongers is essential. The Government must ensure there is a robust plan for integration and employment support for BN(O) visa holders arriving to live in the UK. In January we heard significant concerns from …
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Government Response Summary
The government discusses the setting of visa, immigration, and citizenship fees, which is unrelated to the recommendation for a robust plan for integration and employment support for BN(O) visa holders.
Home Office
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18
Deferred
Para 121
Provide further information on inter-Ministerial group objectives and draw up clear integration plan.
Recommendation
We particularly welcome the establishment of the inter-Ministerial group to co- ordinate support for status holders but note that as yet there is little transparency about the work of this inter-Ministerial group. The Government must provide further information about the …
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Government Response Summary
The government's response did not address transparency, integration plans, or resource provision related to the inter-Ministerial group, instead focusing on the Home Office's process for monitoring country situations and updating Country Policy and Information Notes.
Home Office
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Conclusions (7)
5
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 60
Given the threats of imprisonment under the new security law faced by some Hong Kong young people, the asylum system should be another appropriate route for them to be able to follow. It is troubling that we have heard they are deterred from doing so. The current delays in the …
Government Response Summary
The government's response describes the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) as a temporary route for cultural exchange that does not lead to settlement, failing to address the recommendation to urgently tackle long delays in the asylum casework system.
6
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 67
We welcome the statement of intent by the Home Office that discretion will be given in cases where applicants for the BN(O) visa have convictions related to free speech The UK’s offer of visa and settlement routes for residents of Hong Kong 35 or peaceful protest. We are however concerned …
Government Response Summary
The government discusses the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) and its temporary nature, which is unrelated to the committee's concern about politically-motivated convictions for BN(O) visa applicants.
8
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 70
We support the proposition that intelligence-led checks should be made of applications for the Hong Kong BN(O) visa to identify and screen out agents who intend to monitor and inform on the BN(O) community in the UK on behalf of the Chinese Government. This strengthens the case for having an …
Government Response Summary
The government discusses general asylum claims and the UK's history of granting protection, which is unrelated to the recommendation for intelligence-led checks and an expert casework team for BN(O) visa applications.
11
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 87
We accept the principle that individuals who benefit from immigration should contribute towards the costs of essential UK services and we also welcome the fact that, when designing this visa route, the Government set out to increase its accessibility by setting a low fee for the applicant. However we are …
Government Response Summary
The government did not address the recommendation for a means-tested fee waiver or payment flexibilities for the immigration health surcharge, instead stating caseworkers receive training and will get regular updates on the situation in Hong Kong.
13
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 96
Witnesses told us that the Home Office’s failure to keep its country policy information notes on Hong Kong up to date potentially left asylum-seekers who have a well- founded fear of persecution at risk of having their claims denied by caseworkers. This concern was sufficient to deter eligible claims.
Government Response Summary
The government's response did not address the recommendation about updating country policy information notes on Hong Kong, instead discussing the purpose of visa fees.
19
Conclusion
Deferred
While cross-departmental work is welcome, the Home Secretary should also appoint a BN(O) Resettlement Panel to implement the plan from the inter-Ministerial group and to coordinate with local authorities, new residents and civil society groups on how best to support integration for Hong Kongers upon arrival. (Paragraph 122)
Government Response Summary
The government responds by outlining its process for monitoring country situations and updating country policy and information notes (CPINs), but does not address the recommendation to appoint a BN(O) Resettlement Panel.
20
Conclusion
Deferred
Para 123
The Government’s decision to offer a Hong Kong BN(O) visa scheme is an extremely important and welcome expression of the UK’s historic relationship with, and continued commitment to support, the citizens of Hong Kong. As we have experienced with previous community arrivals into the UK, we expect individuals and families …
Government Response Summary
The government describes its process for monitoring country situations and updating country policy and information notes (CPINs), but does not specifically address reviewing demand estimates for the scheme or ensuring integration measures.