A group of cross-party members of the UK Parliament, alongside over thirty MPs from both Houses, have written to the Home Secretary, expressing concerns that the new Earned Settlement proposal may prevent the majority of BN(O) visa holders from obtaining the originally promised settled status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The government plans to launch a public consultation by the end of 2025, proposing higher income and English language requirements, claiming it aims to promote “economic independence and social integration.” However, MPs and civil society groups worry that these new stipulations effectively represent a ‘moving of the goalposts’ for BN(O) applicants, particularly at a critical juncture when many Hongkongers are nearing the five-year threshold for settlement under the original terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The public consultation regarding Earned Settlement is currently ongoing, and I will share the official consultation link in the first comment. The results of this consultation will directly impact the future eligibility criteria for BN(O) applicants seeking ILR (Indefinite Leave to Remain) and settled status, making it worthwhile for those who have not yet responded to take a few minutes to review and submit their opinions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dear Home Secretary,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a group of concerned parliamentarians, we are writing to you regarding the eligibility issues faced by British Nationals (Overseas) (BN(O)) Hongkongers applying for settled status in the UK. While we welcome the government\u2019s announcement on November 20, 2025, to maintain the five-year pathway to ILR for BN(O) visa holders, the introduction of mandatory ILR requirements has left many BN(O) individuals feeling anxious about their future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A survey conducted by the UK charity Hong Kong Watch, weighted by population, reveals that only 12% of BN(O) individuals are confident they can meet the proposed income and language requirements to secure ILR. More concerning is that, as children must be included in their parents’ applications or already have settled status to qualify, as many as 98% of BN(O) children may face delays in obtaining settled status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Delays in settled status for BN(O) children could have significant implications for their education. Without ILR, they cannot enroll in UK universities as home students; furthermore, they are excluded from overseas study opportunities due to lack of consular protection and other visa restrictions. Many of our BN(O) constituents are under severe financial pressure, unable to afford international tuition fees for their children, who are thus forced to delay or even abandon their educational and career aspirations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are also deeply concerned about the situation of retired BN(O) individuals. Without settled status in the UK, they cannot access their Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) retirement savings from Hong Kong, leaving their financial futures fraught with uncertainty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The BN(O) visa represents a tailored humanitarian pathway, distinct from other economic immigration routes. As a low-income, high-asset group, BN(O) individuals often rely on personal savings, interest, and dividends to support their new lives in the UK. Initially, the government allowed them to contribute to British society in diverse roles, such as students, community volunteers, caregivers, and retirees. Introducing new requirements now would disproportionately impact BN(O) families, severely disrupting the lives of over 200,000 Hongkongers who have come to view the UK as home, and would undermine the government’s commitment to welcoming these British nationals back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We appreciate the open and proactive communication from Lord Hanson of Flint, the Minister of State for the Home Office, on this issue. We trust that the UK government will continue to support BN(O) individuals and respect the unique humanitarian purpose of this scheme. In this spirit, we urge the government to fully exempt BN(O) individuals from income requirements and to provide transitional arrangements for the language requirements for those already on the path to application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sincerely,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Emily Darlington MP, Chair of the APPG on Hong Kong, Milton Keynes Central (Labour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bobby Dean MP, Vice Chair of the APPG on Hong Kong, Carshalton and Wallington (Liberal Democrats)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Alistair Carmichael MP, Vice Chair of the APPG on Hong Kong, Orkney and the Shetlands (Liberal Democrats)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lord Alton of Liverpool, Vice Chair of the APPG on Hong Kong (House of Lords, Crossbench)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lord Shinkwin, Vice Chair of the APPG on Hong Kong (House of Lords, Conservative)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Baroness Bennett, Vice Chair of the APPG on Hong Kong (House of Lords, Green Party)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
James Naish MP, Rushcliffe (Labour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Charlotte Nichols MP, Warrington North (Labour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Ellie Chowns MP, North Herefordshire (Green Party)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jo Platt MP, Leigh and Atherton (Labour and Co-operative)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Will Forster MP, Woking (Liberal Democrats)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Adrian Ramsay MP, Waveney Valley (Green Party)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Graeme Downie MP, Dunfermline and Dollar (Labour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mark Sewards MP, Leeds South West and Morley (Labour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Carla Denyer MP, Bristol Central (Green Party)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chris Hinchliff MP, North East Hertfordshire (Labour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rachael Maskell MP, York Central (Labour and Co-operative)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dr Scott Arthur MP, Edinburgh South West (Labour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gareth Thomas MP, Harrow West (Labour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sarah Hall MP, Warrington South (Labour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Danny Beales MP, Uxbridge and South Ruislip (Labour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
David Baines MP, St Helens North (Labour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sian Berry MP, Brighton Pavilion (Green Party)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sarah Champion MP, Rotherham (Labour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michael Wheeler MP, Worsley and Eccles (Labour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cat Smith MP, Lancaster and Wyre (Labour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Martin Rhodes MP, Glasgow North (Labour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Luke Taylor MP, Sutton and Cheam (Liberal Democrats)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Graham Stringer MP, Blackley and Middleton South (Labour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yuan Yang MP, Earley and Woodley (Labour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Marie Rimmer MP, St Helens South and Whiston (Labour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sarah Edwards MP, Tamworth (Labour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Juliet Campbell MP, Broxtowe (Labour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Christine Jardine MP, Edinburgh West (Liberal Democrats)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nadia Whittome MP, Nottingham East (Labour)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tom Tugendhat MP, Tonbridge (Conservative)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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