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<p>On 24 February 2022, the Government announced in a Written Ministerial Statement
a change to the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) route which will allow
adult children of BN(O) status holders born on or after the 1 July 1997, who are currently
unable to apply for the BN(O) route independently to do so. The statement is available
at: <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2022-02-24/hcws635"
target="_blank">Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK
Parliament</a></p><p>The change to allow adult children of BN(O) status holders born
on or after 1 July 1997 to apply to the route independently of their parents is currently
scheduled to come into effect this Autumn at which point further information, including
full eligibility criteria, will be published on GOV.UK.</p><p>Under the new provisions,
children born on or after 1 July 1997, whose deceased parent held BN(O) status, will
be able to qualify for the route, providing they meet all other requirements for the
route. Applicants will need to show evidence of the BN(O) status of at least one parent.</p><p>
</p><p>As is the case on the BN(O) route now, those who enter the UK with a Student
or Visitor visa will be able to apply to switch into the BN(O) route. They will need
to apply before the expiry of their current visa or grant of permission. Under the
Immigration Rules, individuals applying for the BN(O) route must not be in breach
of immigration laws. This includes overstaying, except where certain limited circumstances
apply as set out paragraph 39E of the Immigration Rules.</p><p> </p><p>Only time spent
in the UK on either the BN(O) route or another route which leads to settlement can
count towards the five-year qualifying period for settlement as a BN(O), with the
most recent grant of permission required to be on the BN(O) route. Time spent in the
UK on a Student visa does not count towards settlement.</p><p> </p><p>All applicants
to the BN(O) route need to demonstrate they can maintain and accommodate themselves
and their family members for at least six months without access to public funds. Applicants
can rely on credible offers of financial support and/or accommodation from a third
party (for example, a relative or friend) to meet this requirement.</p><p> </p><p>Individuals
with an outstanding asylum claim must write to the Home Office to withdraw their claim
before they can apply to the BN(O) route. Further information is available here: <a
href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/withdrawing-asylum-applications"
target="_blank">Withdrawing asylum applications - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)</a>.</p>
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