The UK government will accept applications for special visas from the 31st that will open the way for those who were born in Hong Kong before returning to China and are qualified as "overseas citizens" to move to the UK and gain citizenship start.


China has been strongly opposed by the measures following the enforcement of the Hong Kong National Security Law, which cracks down on anti-government movements in Hong Kong.

The British government has announced that it will issue special visas to those who were born in Hong Kong before being returned to China in 1997 and who are qualified as British "overseas citizens" and their dependents.31 On the day, online application will begin.



A visa will allow you to study and work in the UK, and a five-year stay will open the door to permanent residence and citizenship.



The UK government estimates that the number of people who can apply is 5.2 million, which is about 70% of Hong Kong's population, and that 260,000 to 320,000 may move from Hong Kong over the next five years.



This measure follows the enforcement of the Hong Kong National Security Law, which cracks down on anti-government movements in Hong Kong last year, and Prime Minister Johnson said, "For the freedom and autonomy that both Britain and Hong Kong have cherished. We will stand up. "



Meanwhile, the Chinese government has announced countermeasures that the British government does not recognize passports issued to "foreign citizens" as valid, and has strongly opposed it, suggesting that further measures may be taken.

Five times as many applications as before

In Hong Kong, after the Hong Kong National Security Law came into effect at the end of June last year, more and more people are thinking about moving overseas because they are worried about the future.



In a survey conducted by the Chinese University of Hong Kong last October on 737 citizens aged 18 and over, nearly half of the respondents said they would like to move abroad if they had a chance.



Of these, the United Kingdom was the most cited destination at 24%.



The company that mediates overseas migration in central Hong Kong was flooded with inquiries after the British government announced measures to issue special visas in July last year, and those who applied for migration mediation until then It means that it is increasing at a pace of 5 times.



Mr. Hu Yasukuni, the representative of the intermediary company, said, "There are many people who think that Hong Kong has many unstable factors and want to live a more stable environment for business and family life, and there are people who make a strong decision and come to the request. The number is increasing. For Hong Kong citizens, moving to the UK is an easy option due to the low level of language and financial skills required. "

Revenue reduced to less than half

Some of the people who were born in Hong Kong and are qualified as "overseas citizens" in the United Kingdom have already lived in the United Kingdom.



A man in his thirties who came to the UK from Hong Kong with his wife and four-year-old son last fall says he plans to apply for a visa soon and hopes to obtain citizenship in the future.



The man said, "Hong Kong has lost freedom of expression and the Chinese government is trying to rewrite the history of Hong Kong. I came to the UK to escape from that situation. In the future, the situation in Hong Kong will improve. If so, I would like to come back again, but I think it is unlikely. "



Male mothers and sisters are also planning to move to the UK later this year, and many acquaintances are considering getting visas.



The man had a financial job in Hong Kong, but in the UK he worked in a warehouse in a clothing store, and his income was cut by more than half.



It is said that the difficult life is continuing due to the influence of the new coronavirus, but the man said, "I am still in the middle of the process. I think the economy will improve in the future." He said he wanted to find a job.