U.K., Nov. 11 -- UK Parliament issued the following news:
The Joint Committee on Human Rights has published correspondence from the Home Secretary, confirming that prosecutions for taking part in the 2019 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong will not prevent people who would otherwise be eligible from accessing the British National (Overseas) visa route.
Response from Home Secretary to Joint Committee on Human Rights, 11 November 2026
Letter to Home Secretary in relation to, BNO visa holders, 15 October 2026
The Committee had written to the Home Secretary to highlight convictions of pro-democracy campaigners under Hong Kong's National Security Law. Such convictions could be a barrier to securing entry to the UK or leave to remain for those with BN(O) status.
The Home Secretary has said: "there should now be a presumption in favour of ensuring that convictions connected to participation in the 2019 protests do not prevent otherwise eligible individuals from benefiting from the BN(O) route.
BN(O) route applicants who do not meet the standard BN(O) route suitability requirements due to participation in the pro-democracy protests will now be automatically considered by Ministers for a grant of leave outside the Immigration Rules."
Chair comment
Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Rights, Alex Sobel MP said:
"This is a welcome move from the Home Secretary. The BN(O) route was set up specifically to ensure that the UK could be a place of sanctuary to those who were unjustly punished for standing up for their democratic freedoms.
"Convictions they received for taking part in the protests should not preclude people from accessing this scheme. It is right that the Government has recognised this issue and taken the appropriate action to remedy it."
Further information
Joint Committee on Human Rights
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