Home Office written question – answered at on 2 December 2025.
Julia Buckley
Labour, Shrewsbury
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether she plans to make any changes to the existing 5+1 route to Indefinite Leave to Remain for individuals already on the Hong Kong BN(O) visa route.
Julia Buckley
Labour, Shrewsbury
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether individuals on the Hong Kong BN(O) visa route will have to meet B2 standard of English in order to achieve Indefinite Leave to Remain.
Mike Tapp
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department
The Government remains steadfast in its support for members of the Hong Kong community in the UK.
BN(O) visa holders will attract a 5-year reduction in the qualifying period for settlement, meaning they will continue to be able to settle in the UK after 5 years' residence, subject to meeting the mandatory requirements.
The new mandatory requirements for settlement, including the English language requirement, are basic requirements that we think are reasonable for people to meet if they want to settle here. However, we are seeking views on earned settlement through the public consultation A Fairer Pathway to Settlement and will continue to listen to the views of Hong Kongers. Details of the earned settlement model will be finalised following that consultation.
In the meantime, the current rules for settlement under the BN(O) route will continue to apply.
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