Jul 23, 2020

英國政府:公布BNO港人明年一月起可申請居留及入籍安排

資料來源:香港電台


英國內政部公布,允許擁有英國國民海外護照BNO身份的港人及他們的近親,申請居留及入籍的新安排。

申請人由明年一月起,可申請在英國最長一次過居留5年,期間可以工作或讀書,以及可攜同家屬前往英國,但不可領取社會福利及援助,居住滿6年可以申請入籍。

申請人須擁有BNO的身份,並不需要現時持有有效BNO護照,條文又要求申請人通常居住在香港、以及有至少6個月的財務支持。

英國外相藍韜文說,有關安排顯示英國信守承諾,英方不會在香港問題上另覓解決方法,亦不會違背對港人的歷史責任。內政大臣彭黛玲表示,申請人可在來到英國之後才找工作,毋須事先找到工作。

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Source: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/british-nationals-overseas-in-hong-konghttps://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/902976/CCS207_CCS0720898728-001_HK_BN_Visa_Policy_Statement_A4__4__-_FINAL.pdf


British Nationals (Overseas) in Hong Kong


Information for British National (Overseas) citizens on immigration to the UK following the announcement of national security legislation in Hong Kong.

Published 22 July 2020

From: UK Visas and Immigration

Contents

- New immigration route for BN(O) citizens
- Current status of BN(O) citizens
- Entering the UK before the Hong Kong BN(O) Visa is available

The UK will create a new immigration route for British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) citizens and their dependants.


New immigration route for BN(O) citizens


The UK will open a ‘Hong Kong BN(O) Visa’ for BN(O) citizens and their close family members from January 2021.

You’ll be able to apply for this route from outside or inside the UK.

You’ll be able to apply to enter or remain in the UK for an initial period of 30 months, extendable by a further 30 months, or a single period of 5 years. You’ll be able to work and study but you won’t be able to access public funds such as social welfare benefits.

You’ll be able to apply to settle in the UK (also called ‘indefinite leave to remain’) once you’ve lived here for 5 years. After 12 months with this status you can apply for British citizenship.

To be eligible for this visa route you’ll need to show that you:


  • have BN(O) status – you don’t need valid BN(O) passport to show this and you don’t need to request a new passport if it’s expired or has been lost
  • normally live in Hong Kong
  • can accommodate and support yourself financially in the UK for at least 6 months
  • show a commitment to learn English, where appropriate
  • get a tuberculosis (TB) test certificate from a clinic approved by the Home Office
  • pay a fee and the immigration health surcharge


Read the Hong Kong BN(O) settlement visa policy statement for more information on these arrangements.


Current status of BN(O) citizens


If you’re a BN(O) citizen you can stay in the UK as a visitor for up to 6 months without a visa. However, you are subject to immigration control and, as a visitor, do not have the right to live, work or take up long term study in the UK. You can’t access public funds and must pay for non-urgent healthcare.

View more detailed information about BN(O) citizen status.

Check if you need a visa if you need to come to the UK for more than 6 months, or to work or study.


Entering the UK before the Hong Kong BN(O) Visa is available


If you’re not eligible to enter the UK under an existing immigration route, Border Force Officers may be able to consider granting ‘Leave Outside the Rules’ at the UK border for a period of 6 months to you and your accompanying dependants.

To be considered, you’ll need to show:


  • your identity
  • your BN(O) citizen status
  • that you normally live in Hong Kong
  • that you can accommodate support yourself financially in the UK


You’ll also need to show evidence of any non-BN(O) dependants’ family links to you. A dependant is any of the following:


  • spouse or civil partner
  • unmarried partner
  • child (under the age of 18 when they first applied)
  • other family members where they can show there is a high level of dependency


Identity and BN(O) citizen status


You’ll need a valid passport to show proof of identity.

You can use a valid or expired BN(O) citizen passport to show your BN(O) citizen status.

If you do not have a BN(O) passport the Home Office may be able to look at records to check your status.


Hong Kong residence


To be eligible for ‘Leave Outside the Rules’ you must usually live in Hong Kong. You can prove your evidence of residence by showing:


  • a Hong Kong identity card
  • a letter from an employer or education provider confirming your employment or study in Hong Kong
  • a Hong Kong medical card
  • a voter’s card
  • a visa or residence permit or other immigration documents
  • an educational record, for example a school report
  • a letter from the local council or a government department in Hong Kong
  • tax records
  • records of rent or mortgage payments


The list of evidence is not exhaustive. We may consider other forms of evidence on a case-by-case basis.


Evidence that you can accommodate and support yourself financially


You’ll need to show that you can provide accommodation and financial support for yourself and any of your dependants for at least 6 months .

You can show this with:


  • bank statements that show savings
  • evidence of regular income that will continue whilst in the UK, such as salary, investment or pension payments
  • investment details
  • receipt of educational grants from overseas
  • an offer of employment in UK
  • income of a partner, spouse or other family member to which you have access, for example parental funding or a spouse’s salary earned through lawful working in the UK
  • an offer of accommodation from family or friends


The list of evidence is not exhaustive. We may consider other forms of evidence on a case-by-case basis.


Evidence of your relationship


You’ll need to show evidence of your dependant’s relationship to you.


If they’re your spouse or civil partner


You must show a marriage or civil partnership certificate.


If they’re your unmarried partner


You must show that you’ve been living together in a relationship similar to a marriage or civil partnership for at least 2 years.


If they’re your child


You’ll need to show evidence that you are their parent, adopted parent or guardian such as:


  • full birth certificate
  • adoption certificate
  • a court order, such as a special guardianship order


What you can and cannot do


As a person with ‘Leave Outside the Rules’ you and your dependants can:


  • work
  • study


You cannot:


  • get public funds
  • use the NHS for free (except for free services)


Published 22 July 2020