To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the likely number of applicants for the bespoke British Nationals (Overseas) visa from Hong Kong; when she plans to publish the full details of that scheme; what steps she is taking to ensure that people convicted of offences related to participation in pro-democracy protests will are not prevented from accessing that scheme; and what arrangements she plans to put in place to welcome, integrate and support people who access that scheme.
Answered on
19 October 2020
Further details of the new Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) Visa route will be put before Parliament shortly when the Immigration Rules are laid. Estimates of the potential number of applicants will also be made available in due course.
Consistent with the Immigration Rules we will be able to refuse applicants who have serious criminal convictions or have been otherwise engaged in behaviour which the UK Government deems not conducive to the public good, or are subject to other general grounds for refusal. However, where convictions are related to free speech or peaceful protest, which would not be considered offences under UK law, we would apply discretion as appropriate.
We are working closely with other government departments, including the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, to ensure BN(O) citizens coming into the UK are able to integrate and contribute to the betterment of society across our United Kingdom.