The Home Office has revealed that there have been 34,000 applications for the new British National Overseas visa, by people from Hong Kong seeking residency in the UK, in just two months.
In comparison, there were just 5,354 visa applications by EU citizens in the first three months of the year, including short-term visitors. There were also only 26,903 applications for asylum relating to 32,411 people in the UK in the year ending March.
The new route allows holders of British National Overseas (BNO) status and their immediate families to apply for BNO entry visas for either two periods of 30 months or a single period of five years.
After five years they can apply to settle in the UK, and for citizenship after a further 12 months.
It was launched by the UK Government in response to extreme new national security laws imposed on Hong Kong by the Chinese government.
The figures revealed there were 34,300 applications for the BNO visa route in the first three months of 2021, although it was only opened to applications on 31 January. So far, 7,200 of those applications have been granted.
The Home Secretary, Priti Patel, said she was delighted that there have been so many applications for the British National Overseas visa route.
More information on this visa can be found on the Government website at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/hong-kong-british-national-overseas-visa-applications
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