Britain opens doors to thousands more Hongkongers under expanded BNO route

The UK government announced Monday that thousands more Hong Kong residents will be eligible to resettle in Britain under a major expansion of the British National (Overseas), or BNO, route.

Adult children of BNO status holders – who were under 18 at the time of Hong Kong’s handover – will be eligible to apply for the route independently of their parents.

Spouses and children of eligible applicants will also qualify under the expanded scheme. The UK government estimates approximately 26,000 people will arrive in the UK over the next five years as a result of the changes.

The BNO route, launched in 2021, has already granted visas to more than 230,000 people, with nearly 170,000 having relocated to Britain.

The expansion announcement comes just months after the government considered implementing tougher English language requirements for Hongkongers applying through the BNO pathway.

Proposed changes would raise the English language requirement to B2 level – an upper-intermediate proficiency – and introduce a minimum income threshold of £12,570 (approximately HK$134,200) annually. Applicants would need to maintain this income level for three to five years before becoming eligible for permanent residency.

While the government has clarified that Hong Kong residents will retain the ability to apply for settled status after five years – unlike other migrants who face a proposed 10-year waiting period – concerns have emerged within the community.

Some BNO visa holders have reported feeling misled and say they may leave the UK if the stricter requirements are implemented.

The government said officials are currently consulting on the proposed salary thresholds and language requirements, with no timeline announced for final decisions.