Teenagers from Hong Kong allowed to travel to UK without parents after visa change

Activist Alexandra Wong, also known as Grandma Wong, waves the British flag outside the Wanchai district court in Hong Kong, on December 13, 2021, where activists were being tried for taking part in a banned vigil. AFPShow less

Teenagers living in Hong Kong will be able to travel to the UK without their parents after the Home Office made changes to the visa scheme.

People born on or after July 1, 1997, and aged 18 or over will be eligible to independently apply for British National Overseas visas from the autumn.

The current scheme only permits those born after 1997 to come with their parents.

As many as 11,700 young Hong Kongers could take advantage of the new visa rules, the Home Office estimates.

The change is seen as beneficial as campaigners warn that more than nine in 10 people who have faced protest charges in Hong Kong have been too young to access the visa scheme that enables residents to travel to Britain.

During mass protests in Hong Kong in 2019, more than 10,000 people were arrested.

Data compiled by advocacy group Hong Kong Watch found that 93 per cent of more than 1,000 who had been tried by July 2021 were under the age of 25.

Tory MPs including Damian Green, Iain Duncan Smith and Tom Tugendhat backed the call to change the current visa scheme.

“I’m delighted that thanks to the scheme we introduced, thousands of Hong Kongers have already made the UK their home and integrated into communities across the country,” said Home Secretary Priti Patel.

"The further changes I have announced, which will come into effect this autumn, will continue to deliver on our historic and moral commitment to the people of Hong Kong."

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  China's President Xi Jinping gives a speech at the swearing-in ceremony of Hong Kong's new chief executive, on the 25th anniversary of the city's handover from Britain to China. AFP

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  The city's new leader, John Lee, left, walks off the stage with Mr Xi after the swearing-in ceremony. AP

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  Mr Lee pledged to uphold the city’s mini-constitution, the Basic Law, and to be accountable to the central government in Beijing. Bloomberg

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  His inauguration followed a morning flag-raising ceremony attended by departing leader Carrie Lam and several hundred other people. Bloomberg

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  Hong Kong's new Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Sun Dong, left, bows as Mr Xi and Mr Lee look on. AP

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  The swearing-in ceremony was Mr Xi's first trip outside mainland China since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Reuters

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  Mr Xi last visited Hong Kong in 2017 for the July 1 celebrations, during which he warned that there would be no tolerance for any activities seen as threatening China’s sovereignty and stability. EPA

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  Mr Xi and Mr Lee clap as Hong Kong's director of immigration Au Ka-wang, left, is sworn in. AFP

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  Members of Mr Lee's new Cabinet take their oaths during the ceremony in Hong Kong. Bloomberg

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  Former chief executive Ms Lam, right, and her husband Lam Siu-por, left, at the swearing-in ceremony. Bloomberg

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  Erick Tsang, Hong Kong's Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, centre, and his wife Louise Ho Pui-shan, commissioner of customs and excise, left, at the swearing-in ceremony. Bloomberg

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  Allan Zeman, chairman of Lan Kwai Fong Holdings, attends the swearing-in ceremony. Bloomberg

The BNO visa scheme was launched by the UK in January 2021. It allowed an estimated five million holders of BNO status and their immediate families to apply for dedicated entry visas with a pathway to full citizenship.

So far, more than 120,000 have applied for visas with some estimates suggesting as many as 300,000 could eventually take advantage of the scheme. Of the 123,400 who have applied, 113,742 have been granted.

Under the new rules, young adults applying for visas will not need to submit their parent’s passport or ID document as part of the application process where they are unable to, but will have the option to do so.

Those eligible will be able to bring their partners and children under 18 years and adult relatives who have a high level of dependency.