UK to Allow Up to 2.9 Million Hong Kong Residents to Immigrate Starting Next Year

First Explicit Mention of Specific Implementation Date
Only BNO Passport Required, No Income or Skill Qualifications Needed
Citizenship Granted After Living 5-7 Years in the UK

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The UK government has decided to accept immigration applications from Hong Kong residents starting January next year as a response to China's enforcement of the Hong Kong National Security Law.

Pretty Patel, UK Home Secretary
Photo by AP News

Although immigration measures had been mentioned before, this is the first time a specific implementation date has been announced. Meanwhile, the United States has decided not to allow political asylum for Hong Kong residents, which had been under consideration.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) on the 23rd, the UK Home Office will allow 2.9 million Hong Kong residents holding British National (Overseas) (BNO) passports to live and work in the UK for five years without income requirements starting next year. After five years, they will be granted settled status, and after an additional 12 months, they will be eligible to apply for citizenship.

UK Home Secretary Priti Patel said in a statement that day, "The proposal to allow immigration for Hong Kong residents holding BNO passports is very generous," and added, "We will warmly welcome those who choose to immigrate to the UK." In addition to the 350,000 current BNO holders residing in Hong Kong, those who previously held BNO passports but whose passports have expired can also apply for immigration.

Secretary Patel stated, "There will be no requirements such as technical qualifications, minimum income standards, economic status, or limits on the number of applicants regarding the immigration of Hong Kong residents." However, she explained, "This immigration allowance is not unconditional," adding, "Hong Kong residents holding BNO passports who wish to immigrate to the UK must be able to support themselves financially for 5 to 7 years before obtaining citizenship." She also noted that this immigration allowance for Hong Kong residents is a special case and will not set a precedent.

The UK government's decision was based on the judgment that the Hong Kong National Security Law, pushed through by the Chinese government, violated the agreements between the two countries. When the UK agreed to return Hong Kong to China in 1984, both countries agreed to maintain the British system for 50 years.

In the United States, the issue has drawn attention because the defense bill did not include provisions allowing political asylum for Hong Kong residents. Initially, bipartisan lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties had sought to include provisions in the defense bill to allow political asylum for Hong Kong residents in response to the Hong Kong National Security Law. There was little disagreement between the parties on China-related issues.

Local media analyzed that this is because the issue intersects with ongoing immigration debates within US politics.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.