Call for Parliamentary inquiry into potential systemic discrimination of BNOs

We believe that the British National (Overseas) visa is only a partial remedy as it fails to correct historic injustice that stripped Hong Kong British nationals of the right of abode.

The BN(O) route reflects the UK’s historic and moral commitment to those people of Hong Kong who chose to retain their ties to the UK by taking up BN(O) status at the point of Hong Kong’s handover to China in 1997.

Holders of BN(O) status can access consular assistance and protection provided by UK embassies, high commissions and consulates. We take the protection of Hong Kongers’ rights, freedoms, and safety in the UK very seriously and work closely across Government to ensure that the UK is a safe and welcoming place for those who choose to settle here.

The Government remains fully committed to the BN(O) route and to supporting BN(O) status holders to come to the UK through the BN(O) route. Since its launch, we have granted over 185,000 entry clearance visas and 172,00 people have arrived in the UK.

The BN(O) route enables individuals with BN(O) status, along with their eligible family members, to build a new life in the UK and progress towards British citizenship. The route allows them to apply to come to the UK to live, study, and work in almost any capacity, providing a clear pathway to citizenship.

We recently announced that the route will be expanded from 8 April 2026 to include BN(O) status holders’ adult children who were under-18 at the point of Hong Kong’s handover in 1997. This expansion will close a gap in eligibility that has led to unfair outcomes within families, with some children eligible for the route and others not. It demonstrates our continuing commitment to BN(O)s in light of the ongoing erosion of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong.

Recognising the unique position of BN(O) status holders, we have also confirmed that those on the BN(O) route will retain a five-year route to settlement under the proposed earned settlement reforms.

The continuance of BN(O) status in its current form, without a right of abode in the UK, is in accordance with the commitments that the UK made as part of the Sino British Joint Declaration in 1984, and it is important that the UK upholds these commitments. There are therefore no plans to change nationality law so as to automatically confer British citizenship on BN(O)s.

There are routes available for BN(O)s to become British citizens in certain circumstances:

 If a person lives in the United Kingdom for a continuous period, and meets the specified residence requirements, they can apply for registration under section 4(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981.

 The British Nationality Hong Kong Act 1997 also provides for the registration of British nationals who would otherwise be stateless and are ordinarily resident in Hong Kong.

BN(O)s may also apply for registration under section 4B of the 1981 Act if they do not possess any other citizenship or nationality. They will not qualify if they have lost another nationality through their own action, or lack of action, such as by renouncing another citizenship.

Home Office