Having been a British colony for 99 years, Hong Kong was handed back to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. This took place under the terms of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration, which set out the special sovereign and administrative arrangement of Hong Kong after 1 July 1997 and implemented a ’one country, 2 systems’ policy. This protected the democratic and political rights of the citizens of Hong Kong and ensured Hong Kong would remain political and economically distinct from the rest of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). 

Prior to the handover, the UK Government introduced a new type of British nationality for Hong Kong residents, known as British National (Overseas) status. This was created so that Hongkongers could maintain a link with the UK if they wished. The status was only available to those who were resident in Hong Kong prior to handover and applied before the deadline, and it cannot be inherited by children. Until this year and the launch of the new BN(O) visa route, the BN(O) status afforded few privileges; for example, holders had no special rights to enter or settle in Britain.  

Following the introduction of the Hong Kong national security law, and other actions and repressive tactics taken by the Chinese government, the UK Government raised concerns regarding the ‘clear and serious’ breach of international law of restrictions on the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong. 

In response to clear breaches of the Sino-British Joint Declaration and human rights laws, the UK Government created the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa on the 31^st of January 2021, which will be open to those with a prior BN(O) status from Hong Kong. The visa route also allows BN(O) status holders to apply with children, grandchildren, and adult dependent relatives.

The visa entitles them to enter the UK for a period of 30 months or 5 years, and offers a route to settlement and citizenship. 

You can find the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa leaflet here.