Hong Kong

A new immigration route opened on 31 January 2021. The Hong Kong UK Welcome Programme provides British Nationals (Overseas)  from Hong Kong and their dependants with the opportunity to come to the UK to live, study and work, on a pathway to citizenship.

People who apply through this visa route must coordinate and fund the resettlement themselves. 

Hong Kong British National (Overseas) resettlement figures

As of 12 July 2022, there were 3 known arrivals in Lancashire under the welcome programme. 

New arrivals do not need to make themselves known to the local authority and therefore the accuracy of arrival figures cannot be guaranteed.

Certificate of No Criminal Convictions

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities has created a new letter to support BN(O) holders in obtaining a Certificate of No Criminal Convictions (CNCC), something which is required for BN(O) holders to be able to get employment in a number of sectors in the UK. The letter outlines how in general an individual may obtain a CNCC as well as specific examples for certain sectors or industries.

To obtain the letter please visit: Letter on Certificates of No Criminal Conviction from GOV.UK.

Qualified Teacher Status for Hong Kong Teachers

New rules for awarding Qualified Teacher Status to overseas teachers in England have been rolled out from 1 January. Teachers from Hong Kong and a number of other countries will be able to apply for Qualified Teacher Status much like those from the EU, Australia, New Zealand and Gibraltar can.

Read more information about a fairer approach to awarding QTS to overseas teachers from GOV.UK.

Further information and support

The Welcome Hub for arrivals in Lancashire is the North West Regional Strategic Migration Partnership.

Information is available from government about the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) Welcome Programme on GOV.UK.

New arrivals are entitled to limited support from their local council as outlined in the Hong Kong UK Welcome Programme Guidance -for-local-authorities on GOV.UK.

We want to hear from you

If you are a Hong Kong BN(O) holder, we would like to hear from you. Please complete the North West Regional Strategic Migration Partnership demographic survey for Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders.

Contact us

If you are a Hong Kong BN(O) holder in Lancashire, please email us at LRIT@lancashire.gov.uk.

We can offer:

• signposting and support services for you and your family
• updates on available grant applications for organisations working with the Hong Kong BNO Community

For more information on the grants, eligibility and how to apply, visit: North West England Hong Kong BN(O) Welcome Hub VCFSE Grant Applications.