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HOW WE HELP
我們可以怎樣幫助你？
Welcome to the Hong Kong Welcome Hub. This online resource is intended for Hong Kong BN(O) migrants arriving in Scotland and Council Officers supporting their integration.
The hub covers everything from housing to education, employment, healthcare and more. Pick a topic to get started or, if you have a specific question, get in touch with us directly here.
歡迎來到BNO港人歡迎中心。這網上資源是為抵達蘇格蘭的香港BN(O) 簽證移民及幫助他們融入社區的地方政府職員而設。
本中心涵蓋一切關於房屋、教育、就職、保健等的資訊。您可以選擇一個主題開始閱讀。如果您有個別的問題，可以在此直接聯絡我們。
Are you a Hong Kong BN(O) Migrant?
你是否BNO移英港人
Are you a Council Officer working with Hong Kong BN(O) Migrants?
我的業主要求我預先繳付12個月租金，這個情況常見嗎？
業主可能會在某些情況下要求租客預先繳付租金，減低風險，例如當潛在租客沒有英國信用記錄或工作。
在蘇格蘭，業主不可以要求租客預先繳付多於六個月的租金。留意，英格蘭的規定並不相同。如業主要求你預先繳付多於六個月的租金，則可能觸犯顯示罪行，你有權報告警察。
更多有關預繳租金的資訊，請按此處。
我的業主可以加租嗎？
業主只可以在遵循合適途徑的情況下增加你的租金。業主每年不可以加租超過一次，同時需要在加租三個月前以書面通知租客，亦即是「加租通知」。
如果你因為租金加幅太大或不合理，你可以向蘇格蘭租務局提出申請，要求租屋官審查加租情況，決定加幅是否合理。你需要填寫申請表格，並提供租金加幅的資料。由於你只能在收到加租通知後的21日內使用這項服務，因此如你需要遞交申請，請儘快填寫申請表格。如欲了解更多此項服務的資訊，請按此處。
我的業主想修改租約條款，這是否合法？
Your landlord needs your express permission to add in new terms and conditions or amend existing ones. For example, if you own a pet and this is allowed under the terms of your tenancy, you do not have to accept any changes to the terms of tenancy that affect your ability to keep a pet in your property. You should always consider carefully whether to accept any changes to the terms and conditions of your tenancy.
我的申請已經遞交超過12星期，為什麼我還未獲批簽證？我可以如何加快簽證獲批速度？
我們知道有部分香港BN(O)簽證申請人可能需要等候超過12星期才收到消息。如果你正面臨這個情況，你可以透過以下途徑了解簽證申請狀態：
UKVI聯絡電話：0300 790 6268
接通後請先按「2」，然後按「1」。
熱線辦公時間：星期一至四早上9時正至下午4時45分；星期五上午9時至下午4時30分
更多資訊，請前往https://www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk/y/inside-the-uk/something-else
- 你亦可就簽證申請時長問題向UKVI投訴。你可以透過這個連結填寫網上投訴表格：Complaints procedure – UK Visas and Immigration – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)。在投訴期間，請向UKVI解釋你的申請時長已經超過標準時長，而且沒有收到任何通知，解釋無法在正常時長範圍內審核簽證申請的原因。你亦可以表明這種情況讓你和你的家人承受很大壓力，而且感到焦慮。請放心，提交投訴並不會影響你的簽證審核結果。
- 此外，你可以透過這個連結：https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP 聯絡你當地的國會議員（MP），由他們代你向英國內政部查詢簽證結果延遲的原因。由於MP只會為居住在他們負責區域內的人提供服務，因此在寫給MP的電郵中，請同時寫上你的地址。如果希望聯絡你當地的MP，請前往這個網站：https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/contact-your-mp/
更多有關BN(O)簽證的查詢，請電郵hongkongBNO@cosla.gov.uk聯絡蘇格蘭BNO港人歡迎中心（Scottish Welcome Hub）。
如果我的家人透過訪客簽證入境，我的子女可以接受公立教育嗎？
如你透過訪客簽證入境，則子女不能接受公立教育。當你收到BN(O)簽證後，你便可以為你的子女申請入讀公立學校。
我現在已經移居蘇格蘭，但我依然為香港的公司/企業工作，我有甚麼需要留意嗎？
移居英國後，你仍然可以為香港的僱主工作。但留意，成為英國的稅務居民後，你需要就你的海外收入在英國繳交相應的稅項。一般情況下你需要自我申報稅項。更多資訊，請按此處。我們亦建議你向稅務專業人士尋求專業意見。
我如何可以檢查自己的在英工作權？
BN(O)簽證持有人可以在沒有國民保險號碼的情況下在英國工作嗎？
我可以在哪裏報讀ESOL課程？
當你聯絡你的地方政府機構後，他們會為你安排測試，了解你的英文水平程度。一般來說，你會被列入ESOL課程等候名單。
Is it legal for my landlord to ask for 12 months rent up front?
Oftentimes, landlords ask for rent up front to minimise their risk – for example, if the prospective tenant does not have a UK credit history or a job.
In Scotland a landlord cannot ask you for more than six months rent in advance. Note that this is different from England. A landlord asking for more than six months rent in advance could be committing a criminal offence and can be reported to the police.
There is more information on paying rent in advance here.
Can my landlord increase my rent?
Rents can only be increased if your landlord follows proper procedures. A landlord can increase the rent no more than once a year – tenants must be notified of this decision in writing at least three months before any rent increase is scheduled to take place. This is called a Rent Increase Notice.
If you think the proposed increase is too high or unreasonable, you can apply to Rent Service Scotland to get a Rent Officer to review your case and decide whether the proposed increase is reasonable. This involves a form and providing some information about the proposed increase. You should fill this form out as soon as possible, as you cannot use the service if it has been more than 21 days since you received your Rent Increase Notice. Find out more about using this service here.
My landlord wants to change the terms of my tenancy. Is this legal?
Your landlord needs your express permission to add in new terms and conditions or amend existing ones. For example, if you own a pet and this is allowed under the terms of your tenancy, you do not have to accept any changes to the terms of tenancy that affect your ability to keep a pet in your property. You should always consider carefully whether to accept any changes to the terms and conditions of your tenancy.
I applied for my BN(O) visa more than 12 weeks ago – what is the reason for the delay and is there anything I can do to speed up the process?
We are aware that in some cases, it is taking longer than 12 weeks for Hongkongers to hear back about their BN(O) visa application. Below are a few options for chasing up the status of your visa application:
- Use the UKVI contact centre
Telephone: 0300 790 6268 – select option 2, then option 1 Monday to Thursday, 9am to 4:45pm Friday, 9am to 4:30pm. You can find more information on this here: https://www.gov.uk/contact-ukvi-inside-outside-uk/y/inside-the-uk/something-else
- You can make a formal complaint to the UK Visas and Immigration about the length of time it takes for your application to be processed. This is an online form via this link: Complaints procedure – UK Visas and Immigration – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Explain that your application has exceeded service standards, that you were not explained why it will not be decided within the normal timescale, and that the delay causes a lot of stress and anxiety for you and your family. The complaint will not affect whether your application is accepted.
- You can contact your local Member of Parliament (MP) via this link Find your MP – MPs and Lords – UK Parliament and ask them to contact the Home Office on your behalf to explain the delay. When writing to your MP, you should include your address in the email, as MPs can only support individuals living in their constituencies. There’s more information on contacting your MP here: https://www.parliament.uk/get-involved/contact-an-mp-or-lord/contact-your-mp/
For further queries regarding your visa application, you can email the Scottish Welcome Hub at hongkongBNO@cosla.gov.uk.
My family entered the UK under a visitor visa – is my child eligible for state education?
A visitor visa does not permit children to receive a state school education. Once you receive your BN(O) visa, you will be able to enrol your child in a state school.
I have moved to Scotland but I am still working remotely for a company/organisation in Hong Kong. What do I need to consider?
You can continue to work for your Hong Kong employer after you move to the UK. However, you will need to pay UK income tax on your foreign income once you become a resident in the UK. This normally means you will need to fill out a Self Assessment tax return. More information can be found here. We advise that you seek professional advice from a taxation expert.
How do I undergo a right to work check?
This is something that your employer does on your behalf, either by checking physical documents or checking your immigration status online. You can either show your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) card or you can generate an online share code to prove your right to work.
Can a BN(O) Visa Holder work legally in the UK without a National Insurance Number (NINO)? BN(O)
BN(O) status holders can look for and start work without a National Insurance number, as long as you can prove that you have the right to work in the UK. You can do this by authorising a potential employer to access your data by conducting a right to work check. Please note that a National Insurance number does not prove that you have the right to work and is not a part of the right to work check. A right to work check is something that your employer does on your behalf, either by checking physical documents or checking your immigration status online.
Where do I sign up for ESOL classes?
If you contact your Local Authority, they will arrange an assessment to test your English level. You will then usually be put onto a waiting list for ESOL classes.