Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether the Version 5.0 change mandating refusal for suspended sentences of 12 months or more will apply retrospectively to convictions connected to the 2019 Hong Kong protest movement that were already disclosed to, and accepted by, her Department at the point a BNO visa was granted.

Applications are assessed against the Immigration Rules in force at the date the application is decided, including the applicable suitability requirements.

We are aware of concerns that some Hong Kongers may have been refused on suitability grounds following convictions arising from politically motivated prosecutions in Hong Kong. The Government keeps 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 Hong Kong community.