MANY Hong Kong families in the borough are losing sleep over a Government white paper, Restoring Control over the Immigration System, published on May 12.
They are anxious and uncertain about what it means for their future.
More than 174,000 Hong Kong residents have relocated to the UK via the British National Overseas (BNO) humanitarian visa, since it was introduced in 2020 when the Beijing government cracked down on fundamental human rights in Hong Kong.
The BNO recognised the UK’s historical commitment to Hong Kong, and paved the way for people to start new lives in the UK, safe from repression.
Under current rules, BNO holders must live in the UK for five years to qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) followed by a further year to become a UK citizen.
But the Government white paper proposes raising this requirement from five to 10 years, plus the extra year.
This has shocked and dismayed the Hong Kong community, whose first BNO visa holders can apply for ILR in 2026.
Many have looked forward to finally putting the trauma of the past behind them, and to making the UK their home, but find themselves now shaken and unsettled.
Simon said: “We’re nervous.This will have serious consequences for us.”
BNO visa holders must remain in the country for 180 consecutive days every 12 months, rising to 270 consecutive days during the final extra year.
This can be difficult when there is a family emergency.
“Many of us have older relatives in Hong Kong,” said Simon.
“My parents didn’t feel able to move to the UK in their late 70s – now they’re in their 80s.
“I can’t care for them properly from here, and it’s stressful being so far away.”
A further five years would add to this stress considerably.
There are also concerns about travelling safely to and from Hong Kong.
Since the 2019 Hong Kong protests people are fearful that without ILR status they may be prevented from returning to the UK after visiting relatives.
Mary said: “We left Hong Kong in trauma. We’re not here as day trippers – we’re here for humanitarian reasons.
“Our liberties were suppressed when the UK returned Hong Kong to China in 2019.”
The community has approached Wokingham MP Clive Jones for support.
He said: “Since the Government made its announcements on proposals to change the immigration rules, I’ve heard from a huge number of local people – originally from Hong Kong and elsewhere – scared about what this means for them.
“The Government must provide clarity for those already living here contributing positively to our country.
“Will the new rules apply to them retrospectively?
“I am clear that it would be a breach of trust to pull the rug out from underneath those who are already on the journey to securing the right to live in the UK permanently.
“People from Hong Kong with BN(O) status are British Nationals.
“That’s not a controversial or ambiguous position, it’s what the abbreviation literally stands for.
“In response to those who have contacted me – from Hong Kong and elsewhere – I have contacted Ministers at the Home Office to seek urgent clarification on what the Government’s plans will mean for them.
“I am hopeful of getting a reply soon.”
When the United Kingdom handed Hong Kong back to China there were moral and humanitarian consequences.
“The UK government did a really great thing when they opened the door to welcome us in,” said Peter.
“Chris Patten, the last governor of Hong Kong said the UK would speak up for us.
“He cared about us – he still cares about us – and is even now writing to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper on our behalf.”
Uncertainty around the Government’s Restoring Control over the Immigration System white paper is causing a great deal of the community’s anxiety.
“The bill seems to be retrospective,” said Peter.
“This is a big shock for us, and if implemented will be a huge breach of promise.
“We don’t understand how or why the UK Government would break its commitment to us in this way.
“We came with the very clear understanding that we would fulfill all the UK’s financial requirements of us, pay for Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) [which was £13,000 in 2019 for a family of four for five years], and move all our assets to the UK.
“And that after five years the UK Government would grant us ILR status.”
Under the proposed white paper, families will have to pay another £18,000 IHS for the further five years.
The financial implications of the paper are one thing.
Its psychological effects are another.
“After the trauma we suffered in Hong Kong, this feels like betrayal all over again,” said Peter.
“It’s not normal to change policy like that – there should be a proper transition period, and it should go through proper process.
“We didn’t come here on a whim, we had a promise from the UK, and a strong foundation for selling our homes, uprooting our lives and assets, and throwing everything we had into relocating here.
“Suddenly, it seems the UK Government is no longer reliable, and we are grief stricken.”
Members of the Hong Kong community receive no benefits.
“We knew there would be no UK public funds available for us, and we fully accepted that,” said Peter.
“People prepared for this, and are living on their savings.”
But adding a further five years to the ILR requirement will put considerable extra financial pressure on families.
And without ILR status, they cannot claim their Hong Kong pensions.
“We can’t draw these down before the age of 65 unless we live in Hong Kong, or have permanent leave to remain in the UK,” explained Simon.
“We need the Prime Minister and Yvette Cooper to clarify whether the policy is going to be retrospective or not.”
Mary added: “The white paper talks about immigrants not attempting to integrate into UK society.
“We love to integrate – we want to settle here, and to contribute fully.
“So many of us are working so hard to serve God and our community, and we long to be able to call this place home.
“More than a million Chinese immigrants came to Hong Kong, and invaded our culture, so we know how difficult that can be.
“We understand, and we know how to be.
“We share so many of this country’s values, and we have such a heart for the UK.
“Please, UK, don’t abandon us.”
(All names have been changed)
