Immigration lawyers and relocation consultants in Hong Kong are reporting a surge in renewals of British National Overseas (BNO) passports in the wake of the national security law imposed on the city by Beijing. The move follows the announcement by the UK government that, following the imposition of the new law, holders of BNO passports in the former British colony would be entitled to relocate to Britain.
About three million Hong Kong citizens born before the city returned to Chinese rule in 1997 would have the right to live and work in the UK for five years, after which they could apply for settled status, effectively giving them permanent residency. After 12 months of settled status, they could apply for full citizenship.