The Government has created a new visa for people from Hong Kong with British National (Overseas) status. The five year visa will enable BN(O)s and their dependent family members to live, work and study in the UK, and give them a route to permanent settlement and British citizenship. It launches on 31 January.
Then, Will Hong Kong be British again?
Hong Kong: China will no longer recognise British national overseas citizens.
Does having a British passport make you a British citizen? You can live and work in the UK free of any immigration controls if you’re a British citizen. You can also get a UK passport. You might be a British citizen depending on: where and when you were born.
Keeping this in consideration, Do Hong Kong residents need a visa to enter UK?
Currently they are entitled to visit the UK for up to 6 months at a time, without a visa. … The new Hong Kong BN(O) Visa will allow BN(O) citizens to reside and work or study in the UK, with a pathway to settlement (also known as permanent residence or indefinite leave to remain) and then citizenship.
Do Hong Kongers have British passports?
British National Overseas (BNO) citizenship is a type of British nationality created in 1985 that people in Hong Kong could apply for before the 1997 handover to China to retain a link with the UK. … And after one year of this status, individuals are able to apply for British citizenship.
What is my nationality if I was born in Hong Kong?
Persons of Chinese descent, regardless of whether they were born in Mainland China as well as Hong Kong SAR are usually considered to be Chinese citizens. However, this law denies dual-nationality persons.
How long can British citizen stay away from UK?
You are allowed to spend time outside of the UK so long as these periods of absence do not exceed 6 months at any one time. It does not matter how much time you spend outside of the UK in total during the required 5-year continuous residence period provided you return each time after a maximum of 6 months.
Do I need a new British passport after Brexit?
Therefore, there is no need to renew a British passport simply because of Brexit. … For instance, the expiry date on the passport should be checked. A UK passport must be valid for at least another six months on the starting day of travelling when going to an EU country, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland or Iceland.
Do I have to change my British passport after Brexit?
The UK government explains: “You’ll need to have at least six months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland). “If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date.
What qualifies as a Hong Kong resident?
Under the Hong Kong Basic Law, permanent residents are: Chinese citizens born in Hong Kong before or after the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; … Persons of Chinese nationality born outside Hong Kong whose parents are permanent residents listed in categories (1) and (2);
How many Hong Kong people come to UK?
So far, 7,200 of the applications have been granted. An economic impact assessment by the Home Office published last year gave a “high” range estimate of 500,000 people with BNO status and their dependants arriving in the UK in the first year, with more than 1 million over five years.
Can foreigners transit through Hong Kong?
Transiting through Hong Kong
They meet the entry requirements of their final destination; They have their baggage checked through to the final destination; They have been issued their onward boarding pass(es) from their origin; and. The connection time between flights is within 24 hours.
Do Hong Kong passport need visa to UK?
If you’re from Hong Kong and are a British national (overseas) you and your family members can apply for a British National (Overseas) visa. This is known as a BNO visa. It allows you to live, work and study in the UK.
Does Hong Kong allow dual citizenship?
Hong Kong took a harder line in February, barring dual citizens from receiving consular protection — a step never before taken in the Chinese city, where dual citizenship is not legally allowed but had been tolerated.
What does 3 stars mean on HKID?
The 3 stars on your HKID indicate that you are eligible for an HKSAR Re-entry permit. In this case, you are either a Chinese citizen or stateless. If you hold permanent residency of HKSAR but not Chinese citizenship, you HKID does not have ***. You are not eligible for an HKSAR Re-entry permit.
Can you lose your Hong Kong permanent residency?
The status of a Hong Kong permanent resident can be lost (despite its name consisting of a word”permanent”) when the foreigner (i.e. non-Chinese citizen) are absent from Hong Kong for any continuous period of 3 years or more.
Can I leave UK for more than 6 months?
A single period of absence of more than 6 months but which does not exceed 12 months is permitted, where this is for an important reason, and will not break your continuous qualifying period of residence. Important reasons include pregnancy, childbirth, serious illness, study.
Can I lose my permanent resident status UK?
Permanent residence / settled status can also be lost if the Home Office considers the status was obtained fraudulently, for example by using fake documents to show continuous ten years lawful residence, or by acting in a fraudulent manner during the course of the person’s immigration journey in the UK such as taking a …
Can I return to the UK after living abroad?
If you’re a British national, you’ll be able to return to the UK to live, but it could take a few months to re-establish your rights to services such as benefits and housing. It’s best that you have a plan to support yourself during this time.
Can I travel with British passport after Brexit?
British passport holders do not need a visa to visit countries in the Schengen Area short-term after Brexit. The UK has now joined a group of visa-exempt third countries which means that, although the UK is now a third-nation, its citizens are not subject to visa requirements.
Will property prices fall in Spain after Brexit?
The bottom line is that Spanish property is still very affordable compared to the UK, so Brexit isn’t likely to slow demand too much. … The spending power of Brits looking to invest in Spain has decreased slightly with the fluctuating value of the pound after Brexit and COVID-19.
What are the benefits of British passport?
Benefits of citizenship
- the right to live in the UK forever – your status will be permanently settled.
- the right to hold a British passport.
- full civic rights – this includes the right to vote in elections and the right to stand for public office.
- free NHS medical care.
- no restrictions on your right to work.
Can I still live in EU after Brexit?
You can still stay in one or more EU member states for up to 90 days of any 180-day period without much trouble, but if you want to move to Europe, you’ll now require a visa. To secure a visa, you’ll have to comply with the specific requirements of the country you’ve chosen to call your new home.
How many British have Hong Kong passports?
As of 24 February 2020, there were 349,881 holders of BN(O) passports and the UK Home office estimates that there are around 2.9m BN(O)s in Hong Kong. As of 17 April 2020, the number of valid British National (Overseas) passports in circulation was 357,156.