Petition Keep 5-year ILR terms to Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visas
We urge the Government to exempt BN(O) visa for Hongkongers from the proposed immigration reforms. We think the current ILR terms must remain unchanged:
1. Five years of UK residency
2. B1 level English proficiency
3. Passing the Life in the UK Test
More details
Many Hongkongers on the BN(O) visa, including retired seniors, have started a new life in the UK after the imposition of the National Security Law. They followed the rules with the understanding that after five years, they could settle permanently if they met the English and civic knowledge requirements. We think changing these terms would break the UK's promises and cause stress and uncertainty for those who trusted in this humanitarian route. We urge the Government to honour its original commitment.
114,555 signatures
Show on a map the geographical breakdown of signatures by constituency
100,000 signatures required to be considered for a debate in Parliament
Parliament debated this topic
Government responded
This response was given on 11 July 2025
We are firmly committed to the existing Hong Kong community in the UK and all those who will arrive in future. Further details of measures in the Immigration White Paper will be set out in due course.
Read the response in full
Settlement in the UK is a prerequisite for becoming a British citizen and brings lifelong benefits. Settlement is also an important step in integrating and contributing to local communities and the wider country.
As stated in the Immigration White Paper, published on 12 May, we therefore intend to reform the current rules around settlement so that individuals must earn their right to that privileged immigration status in the UK through the long-term contribution they bring to our country. It is also important that those coming to the UK are able to integrate into society. English language requirements along with the Life in the UK test are essential in supporting that integration.
The reforms to earned settlement set out in the White Paper will be set out in detail later this year, and there will be an opportunity for everyone to contribute to the consultation on those changes. We recognise how important this issue is to the Hong Kong community, and we will listen carefully to what they tell us in that consultation before taking any final decisions on how the new rules will operate, which immigration routes they will affect, and when the changes will take effect. In the meantime, the current rules for settlement under the BN(O) route will continue to apply.
The detail of the new English Language requirements in relation to specific routes will be set out in due course when changes to the Immigration Rules introducing the new requirements are brought forward, as well as any further details about changes to the Life in the UK Test. Again, we will take all views submitted to the Home Office by the Hong Kong community into account as part of that process.
We thank the petitioners for sharing their views ahead of the consultation and look forward to hearing from them again once they have had the chance to review the final proposals in detail. We will also continue to engage regularly with representatives of the Hong Kong diaspora in the UK on any other issues related to the BN(O) visa as part of our ongoing commitment to support that community.
Home Office
Related activity
-
Potential impacts of immigration reforms on humanitarian visa routes: debate in Parliament
On 25 November, a debate took place in Parliament entitled 'Potential impacts of immigration reforms on humanitarian visa routes.'
This was a Backbench Business debate led by James Naish MP.
Home Office Minister, Mike Tapp MP, responded on behalf of the Government. He spoke about recent updates related to the settlement pathway for those on the Hong Kong BN(O) visa route.
Explainer
Backbench Business debates give MPs an opportunity to debate a topic of their choice, and receive a response from the Government.
They are a way to:
- raise awareness of an issue
- seek to influence government policy
- put the views of backbench MPs, political parties, and the Government on record.
They do not generally involve a vote on a particular action or decision.
See our visual explainer on how debates in Westminster Hall work.
Your UK Parliament newsletter
Sign up to a regular newsletter on the work of Parliament and how to get involved.
-
Reforms to the settlement system: Share your views with the Government
The Government has recently launched a public consultation on reforming the current settlement system.
Settlement refers to a person’s right to live in the UK permanently without any immigration restrictions. It is also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).
Respond to the consultation by 11.59pm on 12 February 2026.
The consultation includes questions on the Government's proposed Earned Settlement framework.
More information
The consultation is being run by the Home Office. The Home Office is the lead government department for immigration and passports, drugs policy, crime, counter-terrorism and police.
Your UK Parliament newsletter
Sign up to a regular newsletter on the work of Parliament and how to get involved.