Millions of BN(O)s in Hong Kong could be eligible for UK citizenship

The Government estimates there are around 2.9 million BN(O)s currently in Hong Kong.

Dominic Raab

Up to three million people registered as a British national (overseas) in Hong Kong could be eligible for UK citizenship if China presses ahead with plans to gain more control over the former colony.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab has said he would facilitate a path to British citizenship for BN(O) passport holders in the territory – some 349,881 people – if Beijing does not suspend its plans.

On Thursday he announced he would “set in train” arrangements enabling passport holders to come to the UK for longer than the current six-month period and apply for extendable periods of 12 months to work and study – providing a “pathway to citizenship”.

The Home Office has now confirmed that all BN(O)s – who would have been issued with BN(O) passports previously – can renew the documents, meaning they would be eligible for the extended visa rights.