Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols has welcomed clarity from the Home Secretary, announcing that members of Warrington’s Hong Kong community will continue to be eligible for the existing five-year route to settlement following broader changes to the UK’s immigration system.
Charlotte met with local Hong Kongers recently to discuss the proposed changes to the Immigration system, as well as life in Warrington. One of these concerns was the possible extension to the BNO 5 plus 1 visa, which Charlotte then raised in Parliament.
The Home Secretary’s announcement contained clarification regarding the pathway to settlement for Hong Kongers who have chosen to make the UK their home. Under the new contribution-based model outlined by the Home Secretary the standard qualifying period for settlement in the UK will rise to ten years in many cases. However, the Government has explicitly stated that immediate family members of UK citizens and Hong Kong British National Overseas (BNO) visa holders will retain a five-year settlement pathway.
Charlotte Nichols MP said “I know how important the coming changes to our Immigration system have been to many of my constituents, including many British Nationals from Hong Kong. These reforms are based on rewarding contribution to our society, the ability to speak English and having a clean criminal record and following the rules.
“I can confirm following the Home Secretary’s announcement, that the BNO 5+1 pathway to settlement which applies to Hong Kongers will not be affected by the doubling of the waiting period for Indefinite Leave to Remain. This will bring peace of mind to many Hong Kongers that have chosen to make Warrington their home and are now a part of the social fabric of our town.”
