UK expands Hong Kong visa scheme in wake of Jimmy Lai’s prison sentence

In response to the 20-year prison sentence given to pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai, the UK is expanding its visa scheme for Hong Kong residents. The expansion allows adult children of British National (Overseas) status holders, who were under 18 during Hong Kong's 1997 handover to China, to apply for visas independently, along with their partners and children. The Home Office estimates this change will bring an additional 26,000 people to the UK over the next five years. This expansion addresses previous eligibility gaps within families. The UK government has faced pressure from MPs regarding permanent residency requirements for Hongkongers on humanitarian visas, particularly concerning new English language proficiency requirements for indefinite leave to remain.

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