Hong Kong’s BN(O) holders face tougher English test, possible income threshold

Hongkongers hoping to settle in the United Kingdom under a bespoke visa pathway will face a tougher English test and potentially an income threshold as part of an overhaul of the country’s immigration system, British authorities have told the Post.

The confirmation came as BN(O) visa holders, who were relieved about the unchanged five-year settlement qualifying period revealed by the UK government on Thursday, plunged into anxiety hours later after reading the fine print of the consultation paper.

The planned overhaul of the country’s wider settlement system, unveiled by the Labour government on Thursday, will undergo a 12-week consultation, with British Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood saying that the changes would be adopted from April next year.

Hongkongers under the BN(O) scheme are among those exempted from plans to raise the qualifying period for settlement to 10 years.

But the British Home Office confirmed to the Post on Friday that those applying to settle in the country under the scheme would be subject to a tighter English language requirement, adding that an income threshold was being considered under the reform.

“Those on the BN(O) route must also meet the annual earnings contributions laid out in our model, but this will be subject to consultation,” a spokesman said.