Keep 5-year ILR terms to Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visas
We urge the Government to exempt BN(O) visa for Hongkongers from the proposed immigration reforms. We think the current ILR terms must remain unchanged: 1. Five years of UK residency 2. B1 level English proficiency 3. Passing the Life in the UK Test
Signatures
114,605
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 10,000/10,000 · reached
Debate threshold (100,000) · 100,000/100,000 · reached
- 25 DEC 2025Petition closedFinal total: 114,605 signatures
- 11 JUL 2025Government respondedHome OfficeGovernment reply
We are firmly committed to the existing Hong Kong community in the UK and all those who will arrive in future. Further details of measures in the Immigration White Paper will be set out in due course.
Read full response - 04 JUL 2025100,000 signatures reachedEligible to be considered for debate
- 26 JUN 202510,000 signatures reachedEligible for a government response
- 25 JUN 2025Petition opened for signatures
Background
Many Hongkongers on the BN(O) visa, including retired seniors, have started a new life in the UK after the imposition of the National Security Law. They followed the rules with the understanding that after five years, they could settle permanently if they met the English and civic knowledge requirements. We think changing these terms would break the UK's promises and cause stress and uncertainty for those who trusted in this humanitarian route. We urge the Government to honour its original commitment.