Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what preparations she has made for the introduction of the new British National (Overseas) visa; and what plans are in place to ensure the successful integration into the UK of Hongkongers.

On 31 January 2021 the UK Government introduced a new immigration route for British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) status holders in Hong Kong, providing the opportunity for them and their eligible family members to live, work and study in the UK.

We recognise the integration of BN(O) status holders and their family members is crucial to help arrivals to thrive in their new lives in the UK. We want BN(O) status holders and their families to feel welcome and safe in the UK; have the support to learn English and/or Welsh; to be economically active; and have access to education as appropriate.

Work is taking place across the UK Government alongside civil society groups and others to support the effective integration of BN(O) status holders arriving in the UK in the coming months.

Further information on specific provisions across the four nations of the UK will be set out in due course.