A further parliamentary question has been tabled to the UK Government today to confirm that it it will allow people from Hong Kong to include any years they have spent in the UK with Tier 4 or Tier 5 visas towards the five year qualification for indefinite leave to remain. It says it is putting plans in place for new arrivals but has given no consideration to the creation of a new Hong Kong Charter City in the north of England.
Baroness Williams of Trafford, the Home Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL9699):
Question by Lord Alton of Liverpool:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether British Nationals (Overseas) can include any years they have spent residing in the UK under a Tier 4 or Tier 5 visa towards the residency criteria in an application for indefinite leave to remain under the new pathway to citizenship. (HL9699)
Tabled on: 28 October 2020
Answer:
Baroness Williams of Trafford:
Under the new Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) Visa route, individuals will be able to apply for settlement, also known as Indefinite Leave to Remain, after five years in the UK, subject to meeting the necessary requirements. Time previously spent in the UK on another route to settlement will count towards the five years.
Date and time of answer: 10 Nov 2020 at 13:48.
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Baroness Williams of Trafford, the Home Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL9700):
Question by Lord Alton of Liverpool :
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the proposal for a new charter city in the north of England for persons with Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) status arriving in the UK; and if they have not made such an assessment, what plans they have to do so. (HL9700)
Tabled on: 28 October 2020
Answer:
Baroness Williams of Trafford:
There are currently no plans with regards to a new charter city in North of England for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) citizens arriving in the UK.
We are working across Government to ensure appropriate plans are in place for when the route opens.
