United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that as a new security law implemented by the mainland Chinese government violates Hong Kong's freedom, up to 3 million Hong Kong residents will be offered a chance to settle in the UK and eventually apply for citizenship. Under the new plan, about 350,000 British National Overseas (BNO) Passport holders and some 2.6 million dependents and others will be granted permission to stay, work, and/or study in the UK for 5 years.
According to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, BNO holders will be able to travel to the UK immediately and subject to standard immigration checks. There will be no limit on number and no quotas, and those choosing to work in the UK will not face any salary thresholds to gain their visas.
After staying for 5 years, BNO passport holders and their dependents are eligible to apply for a settled status, and entitled to apply for citizenship after one further year.
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