Picture copyright Getty Photographs
Picture copyright
Getty Photographs
The provide was made after China imposed a sweeping new safety regulation on Hong Kong
The UK authorities has unveiled the situations beneath which nearly three million Hong Kong residents will be capable of begin on a path to citizenship.
Hong Kong’s British Nationwide (Abroad) passport holders and their quick dependents could have the proper to use for a particular UK visa from January, Residence Secretary Priti Patel mentioned.
The provide comes after China imposed a sweeping new safety regulation in Hong Kong.
Beijing has beforehand warned the UK to not meddle in home points.
Overseas ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian mentioned in Might that every one British Nationwide (Abroad) – or BNO – passport holders “are Chinese language nationals” and the transfer would “violate worldwide regulation”.
Nevertheless, Ms Patel mentioned on Wednesday that the provide meant the UK was “maintaining our promise” to Hong Kong residents “to uphold their freedoms”.
What are the situations to get the particular visa?
BNO holders have already got the proper to go to the UK visa-free for six months.
Nevertheless, this can now enable them to use for 2 intervals of 30 months’ go away or 5 years’ go away to stay within the UK, after which ultimately turn out to be full British residents.
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BNO holders are capable of convey quick dependents, together with a partner who doesn’t have the passport, together with youngsters beneath the age of 18.
Nobody born after 1997 is entitled to a BNO passport, and it doesn’t move down by means of the generations. Nevertheless, holders’ youngsters who have been born in 1997 or later and are older than 18 will be capable of apply if they’re a part of a household unit.
Learn extra about Hong Kong’s new safety regulation
Candidates wouldn’t have to have a job earlier than arriving within the UK, and there’s no minimal wage connected to the visa. Nevertheless, the passport holders should be capable of assist themselves financially and won’t qualify for advantages.
They might want to have a tuberculosis (TB) check certificates and no critical convictions, although these convicted solely of offences associated to the latest demonstrations in Hong Kong will nonetheless qualify.
In addition they want to point out a dedication to be taught English.
Why is the UK providing the particular visa?
Hong Kong is a former British colony, which was handed again to China in 1997.
However earlier than Hong Kong was returned, the UK and China made an settlement to introduce “one nation, two programs”, which meant, amongst different issues, rights corresponding to freedom of meeting, free speech and freedom of the press can be protected.
- What’s the BNO and what does the UK transfer imply?
- Why we’re taking our BNOs and leaving
The settlement signed in 1984 was set to final till 2047.
However the UK says this settlement – often known as the Joint Declaration – is beneath risk as a result of the territory handed a brand new regulation in June that offers China sweeping new controls over the folks of Hong Kong.
What’s the new safety regulation?
The brand new, large ranging regulation:
- Makes “inciting hatred” of China’s central authorities and Hong Kong’s regional authorities unlawful
- Permits for closed-door trials, wire-tapping of suspects and the potential for suspects to be tried on the mainland
- Means a variety of acts, together with damaging public transport amenities, will be thought of terrorism
- Requires web suppliers at hand over knowledge if requested by police
China has mentioned the regulation is critical to stop the kind of protests seen in Hong Kong throughout a lot of 2019. Nevertheless, the regulation has triggered alarm each in Hong Kong and overseas, with opponents saying it erodes the territory’s freedoms as a semi-autonomous area of China.
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