London: The UK government will deliver on its commitment to open a new visa for Hong Kong BN(O) status holders on Sunday.
The commitment was made following the Chinese government’s imposition of the National Security Law in Hong Kong last year, in breach of its commitments under international law.
People with British National (Overseas) status – a legacy of UK rule over Hong Kong up to 1997 – will be able to apply to live and work in the UK for up to five years, and eventually seek citizenship, under rules that were changed after China imposed the National Security Law on the territory last year.
Before the change, which takes effect on Sunday, people with BN(O) status could only visit the UK for up to six months and were not allowed to work or settle.
China says the path to citizenship offered by the UK is a violation of international law and interferes with its internal affairs.
Applicants for the visa with certain biometric passports will also be able to apply from home using a smartphone app to scan their passport rather than having to visit a visa application centre.
From 23 February, BN(O) status holders and their eligible family members who hold a biometric BN(O), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or European Economic Area (EEA) passport can scan their passport on the app and complete their application from home. They will be the first non-EEA citizens to be able to do so.