Britain grants visas to Hong Kong citizens in preparation for obtaining citizenship

Britain expects to receive more than 300,000 visa applications from Hong Kong residents within 5 years.

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Britain began yesterday accepting applications from Hong Kong citizens to obtain a visa that provides a fast track to obtain citizenship.

Hong Kong residents with "British overseas citizens" status and their immediate family members are eligible to apply for a visa, which will allow them to apply for settlement after five years and obtain citizenship a year later.

More than 400,000 Hong Kong residents currently enjoy this status.

Before that, Hong Kong residents could visit Britain and stay there for six months, but without the right to work.

This British immigration plan comes in response to Beijing's decision last year to impose a comprehensive national security law on the semi-autonomous region, to silence large and sometimes violent protests calling for democracy, after the massive popular demonstrations that took place in 2019.

Britain announced on Friday that it would accept applications starting yesterday, and expects to receive more than 300,000 applications over the next five years.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the program was an appreciation for "the deep ties of history and friendship" with Hong Kong, a former British colony.

Beijing criticizes the program, claiming that it violates China's sovereignty and constitutes interference in the internal affairs of China and Hong Kong.

Hong Kong returned to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. A Sino-British joint declaration guarantees the rights and freedoms of those living in the area until 2047.

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