After China’s imposition of a national security law on Hong Kong, the UK confirmed that new arrangements will be put in place for British Nationals (Overseas). The new arrangements will be put into practice within the coming months, meaning that BN(O)s from Hong Kong will be granted 5 years limited leave to remain, as opposed to the previous 6-month limit. After these 5 years, they will be able to apply for settled status and, after a further 12 months with that status, apply for citizenship.

Boris Johnson stated that the estimated three million British National Overseas Passport holders in Hong Kong will now have the chance to live in the UK and eventually apply for full citizenship. He stated that “We made clear that if China continued down this path we would introduce a new route for those with British National (Overseas) status to enter the UK, granting them limited leave to remain with the ability to live and work in the UK and thereafter to apply for citizenship. And that is precisely what we will do now.”.

Find out the details on the GOV.UK Website