British Nationality: British Overseas Territories
(asked on 29th July 2020) - View Source
Question to the Home Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what rights to enter the UK will be accorded to Hong Kong residents who were British Overseas Territories citizens until 1997.
Answered by
Baroness Williams of Trafford
Captain of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen-at-Arms (HM Household) (Chief Whip, House of Lords)
Individuals in Hong Kong who were British Dependent Territories Citizens before 1997 and chose not to register for British National (Overseas) status may apply under existing immigration routes to come to live, work or study in the UK. Those that hold Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports can visit for up to 6 months without needing a visa.
Those British Dependent Territories Citizens who elected to retain close ties with the UK through registering for British National (Overseas) status will have the option of applying for a new Hong Kong British National (Overseas) Visa from January 2021. Successful applicants will be able to come and stay in the UK for up to 5 years, with a view to settlement and then citizenship if desired.
Further details on this new immigration route can be found on gov.uk:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hong-kong-bno-visa-policy-statement