UK Opens Visa Scheme to Allow Hong Kong Residents to Become Citizens

A visa scheme to allow Hong Kong residents to come to the UK opened today, with some THREE LAKH people expected to apply. The visa, which is open to holders of a British National (Overseas) passport and their immediate dependents, will offer a fast track to UK citizenship.

But the Chinese foreign ministry said it would no longer recognise the BNO passport as a travel document.



The UK launched the new visa after China imposed a new security law. Beijing has previously warned the UK not to meddle in domestic issues.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the move honoured the UK's "profound ties of history and friendship" with the ex-British colony. The Home Office said,about 7,000 people from Hong Kong have already been allowed to settle in the UK since July.