Rapid rise in BNO passport holders

The number of British National (Overseas) passport holders could surge to 733,000 by the end of the year - up 110 percent from February.

The latest figure follows Britain's announcement in July that it will extend visa rights for BNO holders after Beijing imposed the national security law on Hong Kong on June 30.

The British Foreign Office earlier estimated that about 200,000 Hongkongers would move to the United Kingdom, but an internal document from the office showed the rapid rise in the number of such passport holders, British newspaper The Telegraph reported.

The report said the government is preparing for a 100 percent increase in the number of Hong Kong people coming to Britain.

There were nearly 350,000 BNO passport holders in Hong Kong in February. This rose to more than 400,000 in August, with more than 200,000 passport applications waiting to be processed.

The number of passport holders could increase to 733,000 by year-end, a 110 percent rise from February, according to the government document.

The report also said London will introduce "a bespoke immigration route with a path to full British citizenship" to fulfill its "moral and historic commitment" to BNO citizens in Hong Kong under which they do not need to obtain a replacement BNO for applying for the new route.

The BNO visa scheme will open for applications on January 31 next year, under which BNO holders will be granted the right to work and study in Britain for five years before they apply for settled status.

They will be able to use the National Health Service, but cannot claim social welfare benefits, including those given to low-income people and housing support. Their children will be able to attend state schools for free if they are under 18.

They will need to meet certain criteria to apply for the settled status, including fulfilling English-language requirements and passing the Life in the UK test, as well as other residency requirements.

After a further 12 months with settled status, they can apply for citizenship.

Family members can move to Britain at the same time as the visa applicant, including spouses, civil partners or unmarried partners, children who are under 18, adult children born on or after July 1, 1997, as well as their spouses and underage children.

Other family members who have a high level of dependency can also come, including the applicant's parents, grandparents and siblings.

Those who have lost their BNO passports and those whose passports have expired can apply for the new visa.

The visa will be available in two forms: a one-off five-year visa and a 30-month visa which will be renewable for another two and a half years to make up for the five-year residency period.

Applicants will need to pay an immigration health surcharge when they are applying for the visa, amounting to 624 (HK$6,435) per year. This means a five-year BNO visa will cost 3,120 in health surcharges, while a two-and-a-half-year visa will cost 1,560.

After they have paid the health surcharge, they will be able to use the National Health Service.

sophie.hui@singtaonewscorp.com