In the year since the launch of the Special Visa Program for Hong Kong residents wishing to move to the UK, nearly 104,000 people have already applied for such visas. According to CNBC, citing data from the UK Home Office, more than 97,000 such applications have already been approved. Most of those who received a visa are highly qualified specialists and representatives of management.
A special visa program for Hong Kong residents holding British Overseas National passports (BNOs) issued in Hong Kong prior to its transfer from the UK to China in 1997.— “b”), was launched by the British authorities in January 2021. Its launch was preceded by the adoption of the Chinese National Security Law in Hong Kong. Obtaining such a British visa gives its holder the right to live, work and study in the UK, and after five years of living in the country, you can apply for British citizenship.
According to forecasts by the British authorities, more than 1 million Hong Kong residents can take advantage of this program in the next five years. In total, about 5.4 million Hong Kong residents are eligible for a BNO visa. The UK economy is expected to generate a net benefit of £2.9bn from this program over five years. A visa for a period of five years costs £250, and in addition, the recipient must pay compulsory health insurance in the amount of £3,120 for an adult and £2,350 for a child. According to the UK Home Office, 96% of those who have received a BNO visa do not intend to return to Hong Kong. Most of them intend to seek British citizenship.