A growing number of voices in the UK are urging the government to keep the existing Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) rules unchanged for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) [BN(O)] visa holders. A petition demanding the continuation of the 5-year pathway to settlement has now surpassed 106,000 signatures, qualifying it for official debate in the UK Parliament.
What Is the Petition About?
The petition, titled “Keep 5-year ILR terms to Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visas,” asks the UK government not to change the current rules for BN(O) visa holders who wish to settle in the UK. The petitioners want to maintain the existing terms, which include:
- Five (05) years of UK residency
- English language proficiency at B1 level
- Passing the Life in the UK Test
These terms currently allow BN(O) holders a direct route to settlement after five years, which is seen as fair and accessible for those who relocated from Hong Kong following political unrest.
Why the Concern?
In May 2025, the UK government released an Immigration White Paper, outlining proposed reforms to settlement routes. It mentioned that future settlement (ILR) could become an “earned” status, dependent on long-term contributions to the UK, which might affect the BN(O) pathway. The lack of specific details created uncertainty within the Hong Kong diaspora.
Government Response
On 11 July 2025, the UK government responded to the petition, reassuring the public that:
- Current BN(O) settlement rules remain unchanged for now
- A consultation phase will occur before any new rules are finalized
- The voices of the Hong Kong community will be considered before implementing changes
They emphasized that settlement should reflect long-term contributions, but said that English proficiency and integration will remain important. The government also pledged to continue engaging with Hong Kong BN(O) representatives.
What Happens Next?
Since the petition has crossed 100,000 signatures, it will now be considered for debate in Parliament. A debate date is expected to be announced in the coming days. Meanwhile, the government is finalizing the full details of its settlement reforms, expected later this year.
Press Release: https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/727356.
