Hong Kong and the Pathway to UK Citizenship

The past several months has seen China’s mainland government impose strict laws on Hongkongers.

You, like most others in Hong Kong, must be feeling undue pressure and probably looking for a way out either through immigration or seeking temporary residence elsewhere.

Given the profound extent to which the recently passed security laws would affect your freedoms and daily life as a Hongkonger, these are legitimate concerns. Which is why you should think about moving to the UK sooner rather than later if you are eligible:

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Strict New Laws from Mainland China

Despite violent protests and resistance, the CCP government introduced strict new security laws that will, in addition to limiting your freedoms:

allow the Chinese government to extradite Hongkongers to mainland China.
open Hongkongers to invasive privacy violations that include wiretapping and surveillance (similar to mainland China).
limit your freedom to protest, criticize the national government, or participate in transparent democratic processes.
allows Chinese laws to have precedence over local judicial laws -this might see most Hongkongers subjected to trials and convictions according to mainland China laws.
might lead to stricter clampdowns and persecution of people deemed to have foreign connections and interests or views.

Is it time to leave Hong Kong?

The UK has always been one of the preferred relocation destinations for Hongkongers. Today, there are millions of Hong Kong residents living in the UK either as permanent residents or temporarily. Additionally, another sizable number of Hongkongers who still hold their BNO (British National Overseas) passports can get easy entry and long-term residency in the UK.

60% of Hong Kong Residents Plan to Move Abroad

Like most other Hongkongers currently at loggerheads with the mainland government, moving to the UK and other destinations is at the top of your agenda. According to recent surveys conducted in Hong Kong, over 60% of current residents have plans to move abroad, citing a lack of democracy and pressure from the mainland government as the main reasons.

The UK Welcomes You

Unlike other nationalities, Hong Kong residents enjoy preferential treatment should they decide to make the United Kingdom their new home. In fact, as a result of recent developments, the UK Home Office has made deliberate efforts to make it easier for Hongkong BNO holders and many others to enter and live in the UK.

Bespoke immigration routes announced by the UK foreign secretary this year allow over 2.6 million Hong Kong BNO holders (and their dependents) to move to and live in the UK for five years with generous options available for permanent residency afterwards. What’s more, there are other opportunities available for non-BNO holders, including one to claim your status if you did not have any nationality on 30th June 1997!

UK Immigration Solicitors understand that the recent developments in Hong Kong have come as an unwelcome surprise for many Hong Kong nationals and, as a result, you probably have many questions. We have put together some very basic common questions below but if there is anything specific you want to know; you are invited to reach out to us assistance by phone or through our online form on this page.

Is it safe to leave Hong Kong?

It comes as no surprise that record numbers are heading for the door—or at least preparing to do so. Even before the new security law was proposed, more than 40 percent of Hong Kong’s population was considering emigration. Highly skilled expatriates were also reportedly leaving Hong Kong in the wake of massive protests and the coronavirus epidemic. The finer details are still very much in their infancy and as a Hong Konger, you may be eagerly watching the political landscape for the latest developments.

What we do know for sure that the Hong Kong that people and their businesses have come to know, and love may be not exist is the not too distant future.

We believe that whilst the finer details are being thrashed out in a somewhat undiplomatic fashion, there is currently a very attractive window of opportunity available for Hong Konger’s to seriously consider their options and weigh up the consequences of staying where they are until it’s too late.

Our experienced UK immigration lawyers can help you through each step of the immigration process.

Do you have offices in Hong Kong?

UK Immigration Solicitors have a global presence with dedicated associates spanning the globe. Initially, we had hoped to assist you by offering a free drop in service to assess your position and options in a discreet, face to face environment however, given China’s hard-line stance, we have decided not to offer in country services at this time for the safety of our team. We can still offer our full suite of services to all Hong Kong residents from our UK headquarters.

Is my enquiry private?

We pride ourselves on professional discretion and always ensure that any information exchanged with us remains strictly confidential. We will not share any information with any external organisation or individual unless we are in prior mutual agreement and it is necessary to do so in order to progress your instructions.

What service do you offer?

We provide a comprehensive service that handles everything from initial enquiry, legal research, problem solving and full application processing and submission on your behalf. Our expert team will assist you with every aspect of the process and will assist you in overcoming any operation challenges you may face.

We are one of the UK’s largest independent immigration law practices and are globally recognised as one of the UK’s number 1 immigration law specialists. We are lawyers direct and handle all legal work within our own practices only. Speak with our team now to find out more or submit an online enquiry for a fast, confidential and free assessment.

Despite the relative ease of entry to the UK for Hongkongers, going through the application and approval process can be complicated and there are very specific requirements which must be met. The UK immigration framework is difficult to navigate at the best of times and given the current situation, you will want to ensure that you act early and get things right first time whilst the opportunity is available.

We are the UK’s #1 immigration specialist firm, helping thousands of Hongkongers and other nationalities who want to move to the UK.

What is BN (O) status?

BN (O) means ‘’British national overseas’ ’and includes.

You can’t currently apply for BN (O) status if you are a resident of Hong Kong as there was a cut-off date for all applications.

If you live in Hong Kong and you didn’t register for BN (O) status before the cut-off date of the 1 July 1997 this does not mean you have lost your opportunity. Some people automatically acquired BN (O) status.

Immigration Rules say that even if you didn’t register for BNO status if you had no other nationality or citizenship on the 30 June 1997 then you automatically acquired BN (O) status on the 1 July 1997.

BNO status does not expire therefore, unless you have expressly renounced it, it is a lifetime status.