Open petition: Review & amend immigration rules for Hongkongers with political convictions
Created by Tsz Kin Kwok
Closes on
We want the Government to review and amend immigration rules that include but are not limited to SUI 5.1(a) and BN(O) suitability provisions, regarding Hongkongers with politically motivated criminal convictions.
This is to ensure the sentence does not become an unreasonable barrier to enter and stay in the UK, and that political context is properly considered. An offence name or sentence alone may not reflect the conduct, political context or fair-trial concerns. This can leave Hongkongers affected by political prosecutions without a viable route to protection.
We believe the BN(O) route should remain true to its purpose: providing a viable pathway for Hongkongers facing political persecution, including those imprisoned or facing imprisonment in political cases. We believe politically related convictions should not become a barrier to BN(O) protection.
15,194 signatures
Petition progress
View all updates for this petition, with the most recent first.
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Government responded to this petition
The Government recognises concerns about the impact of politically motivated convictions on some Hong Kongers and is keeping the operation of the BN(O) route under careful review.
Read the response in full
The Government recognises the concerns raised by this petition about the impact that politically motivated convictions in Hong Kong may have on applications under the BN(O) route.
The Government remains steadfast in its support for the Hong Kong community in the UK and fully committed to the BN(O) route, which reflects the UK's historic and moral commitment to the people of Hong Kong.
Applications to the BN(O) route are subject to the same suitability requirements that apply across the immigration system. These provisions provide important safeguards against serious criminality, deception and other conduct.
All applications are considered on a case-by-case basis. Caseworker guidance for the BN(O) route provides flexibility to ensure that overseas convictions for offences not recognised in UK law, or offences that attract substantially higher penalties overseas than they would in the UK, do not result in the automatic refusal of an application. Ministers also have residual discretion to grant leave outside the rules in exceptional cases.
The Government is aware of concerns that some Hong Kongers may have been refused on suitability grounds following convictions arising from politically motivated prosecutions in Hong Kong. It is keeping the operation of the BN(O) route under careful review to ensure it continues to reflect its policy intent and the UK's commitment to the people of Hong Kong.
Home Office
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Government will respond to this petition
This petition got more than 10,000 signatures meaning that government will respond to it.
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Petition published
This petition can now be signed.
If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.
If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.
This petition will stay open until 28 March 2027.