Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders exempt from UK’s proposed 10-year settlement wait

South China Morning Post - Nov 3, 2026

Hongkongers moving to the United Kingdom under the British National (Overseas) visa scheme will be exempt from plans to double the qualifying period for settlement to 10 years, according to an official announcement. But they will still face stricter English-language requirements and tighter rules on criminal records, alongside existing conditions such as completing five years of continuous residence and passing the Life in the UK test. British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood on Monday outlined...

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