North London Hong Kong Families Voice Alarm Over Proposed Citizenship Rule Changes
Hong Kong nationals residing in Harrow have raised significant concerns that proposed changes to the UK government's settlement rules could have severe unintended consequences for their community. Many fear that increasing annual income and English language requirements for British National (Overseas) visas might delay or even prevent them from obtaining the settled status originally promised.
Background of the BN(O) Visa Scheme
In 2020, following the implementation of Beijing's national security law in Hong Kong, the UK government introduced a new visa scheme allowing BN(O) passport holders to relocate to Britain. The original plan offered a path to settled status after five years, with citizenship available one year later. Since 2021, approximately 170,000 people have moved to the UK from Hong Kong under this scheme, with thousands now calling Harrow home.
Proposed Changes and Their Impact
The Home Office has recently published proposals to modify the settlement route, with a consultation period ending on February 12. If implemented, these changes would require BN(O) visa holders to demonstrate an annual income of £12,750 for three to five years to prove economic contribution. Additionally, applicants would need to achieve a B2 upper-intermediate level of English proficiency, up from the previous B1 intermediate requirement. Crucially, these changes would apply retrospectively to all current BN(O) visa holders.
Hong Kongers in Harrow argue that families have meticulously planned their lives around the original "5+1 promise." Despite Home Office assurances that the BN(O) route remains five years—compared to a new standard baseline of ten years for most other migrants—the proposed changes have created widespread uncertainty and anxiety within the community, particularly among students and elderly residents.
Personal Stories Highlight the Struggle
Brandon To, a recently graduated student living in Harrow with his retired parents for the past three years, expressed deep concern. Unable to meet the income requirement during his studies, he fears his settlement could be delayed by at least three years. His parents, as retirees, also cannot meet the threshold despite being economically self-sufficient through savings.
"A well-integrated young person who paid full international school fees and has future earning potential—that's contribution," Mr. To stated. "A retired couple that's self-reliant, not spending a single penny of the British state and pouring investments into Britain—that's also contribution. A blanket proxy of £12,570 fails to recognize both."
Anette, who lives with her elderly parents aged 88 and 75 while working as a manager and paying the highest tax rate, worries her parents may never qualify for settlement due to their retirement status. Her parents are now considering seeking employment for three years to meet the requirements.
"My father is 88 years old, and he would still have to work for at least three years just to reach citizenship," Anette lamented.
Rayan Chu, another student, added: "Not only is my settlement unfairly delayed, but I have to pay international fees for university now, which is more than triple what I had planned for. To young BN(O) visa holders, this is double unfairness."
Political Response and Community Action
Earlier this week, Brandon To and other Harrow Hong Kongers attended a constituency forum with Harrow West MP Gareth Thomas to highlight these issues. They are calling for the changes to recognize specific circumstances, such as those of students and retirees, and for greater policy flexibility and community engagement before finalizing any proposals.
Mr. Thomas had already raised potential problems with the changes in Parliament, stating: "These plans would affect skilled workers, health and care staff, and people fleeing persecution—including many in Harrow who came here on a clear promise of a five-year route to settlement. Many people have told me how unfair it feels to have the rules changed midway, despite their strong commitment to the UK and the contribution they make to our community. I echo the concerns of many in the Hong Kong community in Harrow, who are concerned about their status and their route to indefinite leave to remain."
Home Office Stance and Expanded Eligibility
While not directly addressing concerns about economic or English language requirements, the Home Office emphasized its "historic and moral commitment" to the people of Hong Kong. The department highlighted its recent expansion of the visa scheme, which now allows adult children of BN(O) status holders who were under 18 at the time of Hong Kong's 1997 handover to China to apply independently. Their partners and children will also be eligible to move to the UK under this expanded route, with the Home Office estimating around 26,000 people will arrive over the next five years.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood affirmed: "This country will always honour its historic commitment to the people of Hong Kong. We are proud to have already provided a safe haven to almost 170,000 Hong Kongers since 2021. In the face of the continued deterioration of rights and freedoms, we are now expanding eligibility so more families can build new lives here."
The proposed changes continue to spark debate, with affected communities urging the government to reconsider the retrospective application of new requirements and to acknowledge the diverse contributions of BN(O) visa holders beyond mere income thresholds.
