{"id":35750,"date":"2021-04-25T13:45:34","date_gmt":"2021-04-25T09:45:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.savoryandpartners.com\/?p=35750"},"modified":"2022-03-14T18:37:03","modified_gmt":"2022-03-14T14:37:03","slug":"hong-kong-residents-can-now-become-uk-citizens-via-a-special-visa-route","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/old.savoryandparnters.com\/blog\/hong-kong-residents-can-now-become-uk-citizens-via-a-special-visa-route\/","title":{"rendered":"Hong Kong Residents Can Now Become UK Citizens Via a Special Visa Route"},"content":{"rendered":"

On 31 January 2021,\u00a0<\/span><\/span>The UK Government has introduced a new visa system for Hong Kong residents\u00a0<\/span><\/span>and their families\u00a0<\/span><\/span>who hold a British National Overseas (BNO) passport, offering them an opportunity to become British citizens<\/span><\/span>\u00a0with the ability to live, study and work there.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Savory and Partners is one of the leading Citizenship and Residency by Investment (CBI\/RBI) firms in the MENA region\u00a0<\/span><\/span>specialising<\/span><\/span>\u00a0in aiding individuals and families alike to obtain second citizenship and permanent residency. We are\u00a0<\/span><\/span>delighted\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to share the news of this\u00a0<\/span><\/span>great\u00a0<\/span><\/span>opportunity that has become available to Hong Kong resident<\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and their families<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThis is an exciting step forward, which will give millions of people from Hong Kong greater opportunities throughout the UK<\/span><\/span>,<\/span><\/span>\u201d says Jeremy Savory, CEO of<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span> Savory & Partners<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

We look at how this special visa came about and what it means for everyone involved.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How will it work?<\/b><\/em><\/h3>\n

The UK\u2019s new visa program entitles anyone with a BNO passport and their\u00a0<\/span><\/span>depend<\/span><\/span>e<\/span><\/span>nts<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to apply online for a visa, which allows them to live, study and work in the UK for 5 years and eventually apply for citizenship thereafter.\u202f<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a BNO passport?<\/b><\/em><\/h3>\n

In 1997, the United Kingdom<\/a> formally handed Hong Kong over to China. T<\/span><\/span>o<\/span><\/span>\u00a0retain a link to the Asian city, all Hong Kong residents born before 1997 were given British National Overseas citizenship. BNO citizenship is a lifelong status that allows its passport holder to visit the UK for 6 months without a visa. Citizenship cannot be passed down to family members and does not give holders any special rights.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

You Might Also Like: ETIAS – Friend or Foe of Citizenship by Investment Programs?<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

However, this new visa program will allow BNO citizens and any dependent family members to apply for two periods of 5 years to live, work and study in the UK. After the first 5 years, BNO citizens can choose to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the country \u2013 which means that they can live and work in the UK without reapplying for a visa. And once they have held this status for <\/span><\/span>1 year, these individuals become eligible to apply for British citizenship.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

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British passport and certificate of registration.<\/p><\/div>\n

Why did the UK launch this new visa program?<\/b><\/em><\/h3>\n

China\u2019s crackdown on dissent\u00a0<\/span><\/span>lea<\/span><\/span>d\u00a0<\/span><\/span>to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>impos<\/span><\/span>ing<\/span><\/span>\u00a0s<\/span><\/span>trict\u00a0<\/span><\/span>security laws in Hong Kong in retaliation to pro-democracy activism and protests in the city<\/span><\/span>. This<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>urged<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span>the British government<\/span><\/span>\u00a0to<\/span><\/span>\u00a0condemn the country\u2019s actions and debat<\/span><\/span>e with<\/span><\/span>\u00a0the Chinese government on the issue for months.\u202f<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The creation of this new visa program comes directly after China and Hong Kong announced that they will no longer\u00a0<\/span><\/span>recognise<\/span><\/span>\u00a0the BNO passport as a valid travel document as of 31 January 2021. Britain has a historic<\/span><\/span>al<\/span><\/span>\u00a0and moral commitment to Hong Kong people, and with China\u2019s breach of the terms of the agreement under which the city was handed back in 1997, it aims to\u00a0<\/span><\/span>honour<\/span><\/span>\u00a0this now more than ever, through the launch of this special visa.<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What does this mean going forward?<\/b><\/em><\/h3>\n

Many Hong Kong residents are fearful that the Chinese government will prohibit and actively stop people from leaving for the UK. And with the growing unrest and implementation of strict laws, many Hong Kong residents will likely flee the city in\u00a0<\/span><\/span>favour<\/span><\/span>\u00a0of Britain.\u202f<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Related Article: Getting a Second Citizenship From Grenada is Faster Than You Think<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n

It is estimated that 72% of Hong Kong\u2019s 7.5 million population will be eligible for the new program<\/span><\/span>;<\/span><\/span>\u00a0approximately 300,000 people will take up this offer in the first 5 years.\u202f<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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British passport holders enjoy world-class health services, high standard education and business opportunities for themselves and their families.<\/p><\/div>\n

Book a Free Consultation<\/b><\/em><\/h3>\n

The UK is not the only country providing a way for foreign nationals to obtain legal permanent residence and citizenship. Countries in the Caribbean, Europe and even the South Pacific offer straightforward and efficient citizenship and residency by investment programs that allow high-net-worth individuals from the Middle East and beyond to acquire a second passport or residence permit in exchange for investing in the nation.\u202f<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If\u00a0<\/span><\/span>you\u2019re<\/span><\/span>\u00a0thinking about applying for any CBI or RBI program, be sure to render the services of an accredited and\u00a0<\/span><\/span>recognised<\/span><\/span> advisor, <\/span><\/span>like<\/span> Savory & Partners<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

When choosing us as your partner on this journey, you can be assured that you are in safe and capable hands. Savory & Partners is a long-standing and well-respected\u00a0<\/span><\/span>authori<\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span>ed<\/span><\/span>\u00a0agent that\u00a0<\/span><\/span>speciali<\/span><\/span>s<\/span><\/span>es<\/span><\/span>\u00a0in helping high-net-worth individuals secure citizenship through investment for themselves and their\u00a0<\/span><\/span>depend<\/span><\/span>e<\/span><\/span>nts<\/span><\/span>.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The Savory & Partners team is made up of a diverse group of industry experts who span over 15 nationalities, speak over 25 languages collectively, and come with decades of accumulated CBI and RBI industry experience. Our level of expertise and competence combined with our commitment to serving our clients with the highest level of professionalism and transparency has led us to aid over 1,100 families obtain a second passport with a 100% success rate. There is no one better positioned and more trustworthy than Savory & Partners when seeking the best results on your quest to secure a better future for yourself and your family.\u202f<\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If you would like to apply to a Citizenship or Residency by Investment Program or would like to learn more, get in contact with us today for a <\/span>free online consultation<\/span><\/a> and one of our skilled agents will happily aid you in your enquiry.<\/span><\/p>\n

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