Immigration: Hong Kong

(asked on 3rd March 2021) - View Source

Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what (1) discussions they are having with, and (2) guidance they have issued to, (a) local authorities, (b) landlord representatives, and (c) housing associations, to ensure that people coming to the UK from Hong Kong under the British National (Overseas) visa are able (i) to secure appropriate housing, and (ii) are not disadvantaged under the Right to Rent scheme by the need to demonstrate their immigration status.


Answered by
Baroness Williams of Trafford Portrait
Baroness Williams of Trafford
Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
This question was answered on 17th March 2021

On 31 January the Home Office launched the new Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) route.

Since then, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has been working with partners across Whitehall and beyond to help new arrivals to settle into life in the UK. Planning assumptions and guidance on which services may need to prepare for BN(O) arrivals have been shared with local authorities and MHCLG will continue to work closely with local authorities to ensure that impacts on existing service provision are understood and addressed as appropriate.

We are clear landlords must take extra care to ensure no-one is discriminated against when carrying out right to rent checks. Successful applicants for the BN(O) route will receive either a biometric residence permit (BRP) or digital status, which will enable them to evidence their right to rent a property in the UK.

It is not standard practice for the Home Office to collect data around where people choose to settle once they receive their migration status. BN(O) status holders are entitled to settle wherever they choose within the United Kingdom.

The UK Government looks forward to welcoming applications from those individuals who wish to make our United Kingdom their home.

Reticulating Splines