Hong Kong BN(O) Visa News
MHCLG VCSE Funding Announcement
Monday 30 September 2024
MHCLG are pleased to announce the successful bidders in their Hong Kong British National (Overseas) Welcome Programme Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Year 4 funding (2024/2025). For Mental Health and Wellbeing Barnardo’s have been successful and for Employability the successful bidder is The Growth Company.
A summary of their projects alongside contact information can be found on the webpage here – Y4 VCSE Grant Recipients
MHCLG and Home Office/Foreign Office Official Lines
Monday 24 June 2024
You will be aware of the recent news that three people were charged with offences under the National Security Act 2023 (NSA23).
In response, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office summoned the Chinese Ambassador on 14 May and issued the following statement: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-summons-chinese-ambassador-following-allegations-of-foreign-interference-in-the-uk]
UK law operates under a presumption of innocence until proven guilty. We cannot comment on an ongoing judicial process.
Following the death of one of those charged, Thames Valley Police issued the following statement [Update on unexplained death – Maidenhead | Thames Valley Police] confirming the death was not being treated as suspicious. We extend our condolences to those affected by his death. As this remains an ongoing coronial investigation, we cannot comment further.
We would like to reassure the community that the NSA23 has introduced a significant package of measures to be used against the full range of state threats activity, including a new criminal offence of Foreign Interference. It is designed to capture malign interference targeted at the UK’s society, political system and institutions, rights, and ultimately acts that prejudice UK national security. Where individuals have concerns for their safety, they are advised to contact their local police force in the first instance. In the event that a person believes they are subject to an imminent threat, they should call 999.
Joint Statement by the Hong Kong Welcome Hubs Regarding Article 23 – 香港移民歡迎中心關於第23條的聯合聲明
Friday 19 April 2024
The Hong Kong British National Overseas (BN(O)) Welcome Hubs are aware of the impact the news of the recent enactment of the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance under Article 23 of the Basic Law in Hong Kong will have had on the BN(O) community across the UK. The Foreign Secretary issued the following statement regarding the new legislation on 19 March: Hong Kong national security legislation: UK statement – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
We continue to work closely with the BN(O) community and the UK Government to understand how the new legislation in Hong Kong could impact Hongkongers who have settled in the UK. If you, or BN(O) visa holders you support, are concerned or anxious about how the new legislation could impact them or their families, please contact your regional Welcome Hub. Any information received will be kept in confidence. Where individuals have concerns for their safety, they are advised to contact the police in the first instance. If you are planning to travel to Hong Kong, we encourage you to consult the latest travel advice ahead of your departure – Hong Kong (SAR of China) travel advice – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
The Welcome Hubs remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering the Welcome Programme to help BN(O)s build a new life in the UK.
香港英國國民(海外 )歡迎中心了解香港最近根據《基本法》第 23 條頒布《維護國家安全條例》的消息，將對英國各地的英國國民(海外)社群產生影響。 英國外交大臣於 3 月 19 日就此新法案發表以下聲明：Hong Kong national security legislation: UK statement – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
我們將繼續與英國國民(海外)人士和英國政府緊密合作，以了解香港這新法案將如何影響在英國定居的香港人。 如果您或您支持的英國國民(海外)簽證持有人對此新法案會對他們或其家人產生怎樣的影響感到擔心或焦慮，請聯絡您所在地區的歡迎中心。歡迎中心所收到的任何資訊將會保密。 如果任何人擔心他們的個人安全，建議他們先聯絡警方。如果您打算前往香港，我們建議您在出發前查閱最新的旅遊建議 – Hong Kong (SAR of China) travel advice – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
歡迎中心將繼續致力並堅定不移地推行歡迎計劃，幫助英國國民(海外)在英國建立新生活。
Statement of Changes to Immigration Rules
Thursday 14 March 2024
Changes are being made to the BN(O) route that will:
- Enable applicants to be granted further permission to stay on the route with access to public funds where they have previously varied their permission to remove the no access to public funds condition and continue to meet the eligibility requirements to be granted access to public funds.
- Allow decision makers to add up to 28 days of existing permission under the BN(O) route onto an applicant’s further permission to stay where the applicant has applied for a 30-month visa. This will assist them in completing a five year qualifying period required for settlement, without having to make a further temporary permission application.
- Ensure eligible family members of an individual who holds both BN(O) status and British citizenship can apply on the BN(O) route.
- Allow Adult Dependent Relatives on the BN(O) route to apply later to join the main applicant in the UK where there has been a change in their circumstances, and they can no longer live independently.
- Remove the requirement for partners and adult dependent relatives to have their permission end on the same date as the main applicant where they can apply to join them later in the UK. This will allow UKVI caseworkers to grant family members the full length of permission they apply for.
- Enable those who are on immigration bail solely because they have claimed asylum in the UK to apply on the BN(O) route.
- These changes are coming into force on Thursday 4 April 2024.
Further information can be found on the Gov UK website.
MHCLG Announcement – BN(O) Visa Scheme 2024/25
Friday 8 March 2024
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) has confirmed a further year of funding for the Hong Kong BN(O) Welcome Programme (2024/25) to support those coming to live in the UK under the BN(O) visa scheme.
The announcement includes the below:
- Continued funding for 12 Welcome Hubs across the UK, at the same level of £3.6 million as previous years,
- Voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) grant funding to support projects focused on a) employability and b) mental health and wellbeing,
- Continued demand-led funding for local authorities to provide English language and destitution support (England only),
- Maintained funding for the current Hate Crime Reporting Service for BN(O)s and East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) communities until 31 March 2024 (a further announcement on the future provider will be made in due course),
- Continued signposting to BN(O)s through the online Welcome Pack with information about the support and services they can access in the UK.
Further information can be found on the Gov UK page.
