BNO 5+1 Visa: Healing Historical Betrayals, Delivering Equal Citizenship

Over 140,000 Hong Kongers have sought freedom and dignity in the UK through the BNO “5+1” visa scheme, a lifeline that stands as a testament to Britain’s moral obligation to Hong Kong. Yet, this obligation is rooted in a history of broken promises—from the 1981 British Nationality Act that stripped Hong Kongers of their right to live in the UK, to the 1997 handover that delivered a free and prosperous Hong Kong into the hands of an authoritarian regime, with the Sino-British Joint Declaration’s guarantees erased like chalk on a blackboard. As the UK government’s recent immigration white paper hints at tightening the BNO visa scheme, we urgently call on Britain to honour its duty: preserve the BNO 5+1 visa’s accessibility, drastically lower citizenship barriers, and deliver equal citizenship to heal decades of wounds inflicted on Hong Kongers.

1981: The Betrayal of Residency Rights

In 1981, the British Nationality Act redefined Hong Kongers’ status, downgrading them from full British citizens to British Dependent Territories Citizens (BDTC), stripping millions of their right to reside in the UK. For a people who contributed immensely to Britain’s economy and global standing over 150 years of colonial rule, this was a callous betrayal. Unlike residents of other former colonies, such as Malaysia, who retained residency rights upon independence, Hong Kongers were abandoned. This act severed their legal ties to Britain and sowed fear and uncertainty as the 1997 handover loomed. The wound it left remains unhealed.

1997: The Fall of Free Hong Kong

If 1981 was a betrayal, the 1997 handover was a deeper scar. Under British rule, Hong Kong flourished as a global metropolis, boasting rule of law, free speech, and an independent judiciary. Yet, on 1 July 1997, this beacon of freedom was handed to an authoritarian regime, marking the beginning of its decline. The Sino-British Joint Declaration, an international treaty, promised Hong Kong “one country, two systems” and high autonomy for 50 years. These pledges, however, proved as fleeting as chalk on a blackboard, erased by the National Security Law and electoral reforms that crushed free expression and civil society. Thousands of Hong Kongers have since fled political persecution. Britain, as a signatory to the Joint Declaration, failed to uphold its commitments, indirectly allowing Hong Kong’s descent into oppression. This betrayal fuels Hong Kongers’ expectations of Britain’s moral responsibility today.

BNO 5+1 Visa: A Step Towards Redemption

Launched in 2021, the BNO “5+1” visa scheme is Britain’s initial response to these historical wrongs. It allows BNO holders and their families to live, work, and study in the UK for five years, apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), and seek citizenship after one further year. Unlike other immigration routes, it requires no hefty investments or specialised skills, reflecting Britain’s unique duty to Hong Kong. By 2025, some 200,000 applications have been approved, underscoring its vital role.

Yet, the UK government’s new immigration white paper, aiming to cut net migration by 300,000, threatens this progress. Proposals to extend permanent residency requirements to 10 years or raise English language standards (from B1 to B2) risk undermining the scheme. While not explicitly targeting BNO visas, these changes have alarmed Hong Konger communities, with groups like Hong Kong Watch warning of their impact on integration, particularly for low-income or less proficient English speakers. Tightening the BNO scheme would not only betray Britain’s duty to Hong Kong but reopen the scars of 1981 and 1997.

Equal Citizenship: The Path to Atonement

To truly atone for the betrayals of 1981 and 1997, Britain must champion equal citizenship, ensuring every BNO holder—regardless of age, wealth, or background—can access UK citizenship. Current requirements (five years’ residency, 450-day absence limit, B1 English test, “Life in the UK” exam, and roughly £4,200 in fees for ILR and citizenship) pose significant hurdles. The English test intimidates elderly Hong Kongers, while fees burden low-income families.

We propose the following reforms to deliver equal citizenship:

1. Remove Language Barriers: Lower the English test to A2 level or accept free language courses as proof. Exempt elderly applicants, allowing community contributions to demonstrate integration.
2. Ease Financial Burdens: Subsidise ILR and citizenship fees for low-income households and offer instalment plans.
3. Simplify Knowledge Tests: Reform the “Life in the UK” test to focus on practical civic knowledge, such as rights and responsibilities, rather than obscure historical details. Provide free, community-based preparation classes led by local councils or Hong Konger-led organisations, offering interactive workshops, mock exams, and peer study groups to build confidence and accessibility for all applicants, including those with limited formal education.
4. Accelerate Citizenship: Shorten the “5+1” pathway to “4+1” and extend the absence limit to 600 days.
5. Prioritise Vulnerable Groups: Create fast-track citizenship for young people, single-parent families, and exiled Hong Kongers, honouring Britain’s human rights commitments.

Hong Kongers’ Value and Britain’s Conscience

Hong Kongers in the UK are proving their worth—establishing groups like HongKongers in Leeds, engaging in local elections, and achieving political milestones, such as Ying Lisa Shayne Perrett’s election as a councillor. They are not burdens but builders of Britain’s future. Equal citizenship will unlock their potential, enriching the UK’s diversity. If Britain fails to seize this moment, it risks betraying Hong Kongers once more, shaming its historical conscience.

Act Now: Heal the Wounds of History

The betrayals of 1981 and 1997 are indelible scars on Hong Kongers’ hearts. The BNO 5+1 visa is a starting point, not an endpoint. We implore Hong Kongers in the UK and supporters in Hong Kong to act:

• Lobby MPs: Contact your MP today to demand transparency on the White Paper’s impact and to advocate for equal citizenship rights for Hongkongers.
• Join Petitions: Support Hong Kong Watch campaigns to amplify Hong Kongers’ voices.
• Share Stories: Post BNO experiences on social media to build public empathy in the UK.

History’s wrongs can be righted, but only through action. Let us unite to ensure the BNO 5+1 visa becomes a bridge to equality, fulfilling Britain’s solemn promise to Hong Kong through equal citizenship.