UK reportedly rejects BNO visas for jailed Hong Kong protesters
SingTao · 2 SOURCESabout 6 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
At least 12 Hong Kong people convicted in cases linked to the 2019 anti-extradition protests have reportedly been formally refused British National (Overseas) visa applications by the UK Home Office in recent months. The reported refusals came after Prime Minister Andy Burnham took office in July, and have prompted accusations from some lawyers, former officials and affected applicants that the scheme is being interpreted more narrowly than before.
Key Points
- Sing Tao and Commercial Radio both cited a Metro report saying at least 12 Hong Kong applicants were refused BNO visas after court convictions in protest-related cases.
- One 28-year-old applicant identified as Edward was convicted over the July 2019 Yuen Long clashes; the sources differ on sentence length, reporting more than one year and three-and-a-half years respectively.
- Another applicant, John, was jailed for two years and one month over the November 2019 Polytechnic University clashes and was reportedly refused the day after applying
- Refusal letters reportedly quoted Hong Kong court indictments and judgments, with the Home Office saying the conduct would also have been unlawful in Britain
- The Home Office said it would not comment on anonymous cases, but maintained that standard immigration rules on criminal records also apply to BNO applications.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers considering the BNO route, the reports suggest criminal convictions tied to the 2019 unrest may now face closer scrutiny under ordinary UK immigration rules, even where applicants argue political motivation. The dispute also raises uncertainty over whether the scheme is still being applied in the same way as under earlier governments