UK Expands Hong Kong Visa Scheme, Demands Release of Jailed Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai
The United Kingdom has broadened its visa program for Hong Kong residents and is intensifying calls for the release of British citizen Jimmy Lai, the founder of pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily, following his 20-year prison sentence.
The UK’s response underscores its commitment to individuals impacted by the evolving political landscape in Hong Kong, particularly in the wake of the Beijing-imposed national security law. The expanded visa scheme, announced Monday by the Home Office, now extends eligibility to the adult children of British National (Overseas) – or BNO – status holders who were under 18 at the time of Hong Kong’s 1997 handover to China. Previously, such individuals were not always able to independently qualify for the program. Their partners and children are also now eligible to join them in the UK. Officials estimate this change will facilitate the arrival of approximately 26,000 people over the next five years.
The move addresses a previous inconsistency in the BNO visa route, ensuring a more equitable pathway for families seeking refuge. Since the scheme’s launch in 2021, a total of 230,000 people have been granted visas, with nearly 170,000 already relocating to Britain.
The sentencing of Lai, 78, on December 2025, has further galvanized international concern. He was convicted of two counts of conspiring to collude with foreign forces and one count of sedition, charges stemming from his advocacy and the editorial stance of Apple Daily. Lai, alongside eight co-defendants, faced judges specifically selected to oversee national security cases at West Kowloon Law Courts, with his co-defendants receiving sentences of up to 10 years.
“Today’s sentencing of Jimmy Lai, a British citizen, for 20 years, shows how the Beijing-imposed National Security Law has criminalised dissent, prompting many to leave the territory,” a statement from the UK government read. The Prime Minister reportedly raised Lai’s case directly with President Xi Jinping during a recent visit, signaling the UK’s commitment to addressing the issue at the highest levels. The government has pledged to “rapidly engage further” on Lai’s case following the sentencing.
UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper echoed these sentiments, stating that the 20-year sentence was “tantamount to a life sentence” for the 78-year-old. “I remain deeply concerned for Mr Lai’s health, and I again call on the Hong Kong authorities to end his appalling ordeal and release him on humanitarian grounds, so that he may be reunited with his family,” Cooper said. Former British Prime Minister David Cameron also joined the chorus of calls for Lai’s release.
Lai was accused of utilizing Apple Daily to advocate for foreign sanctions and other measures against China and Hong Kong, as well as inciting anti-government sentiment through 161 published opinion pieces. The now-defunct newspaper was a vocal critic of Beijing’s increasing influence over the territory.
The imposition of the national security law in June 2020, following a year of widespread pro-democracy protests, fundamentally altered Hong Kong’s legal and political landscape. The legislation criminalizes subversion, secession, collusion with foreign forces, and terrorism – broadly defined terms that have led to hundreds of arrests and the dissolution of numerous civil society groups. While authorities maintain the law has restored stability, critics, including trade partners, the UN, and NGOs, argue it has eroded freedoms and democratic principles.
The UK’s continued advocacy for Lai and the expansion of the BNO visa scheme represent a significant response to the evolving situation in Hong Kong, offering a lifeline to those seeking refuge and a firm rebuke of Beijing’s actions.
