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Hongkongers in Britain (association)

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Hongkongers in Britain
英國港僑協會
Formation7 July 2020; 4 years ago (2020-07-07)
Founder
Founded at United Kingdom
12726075
Headquarters1 Coral St, Waterloo, London SE1 7BE
Membership
25,000
Official language
Cantonese, English
Websitewww.hongkongers.org.uk

Hongkongers in Britain (Chinese: 英國港僑協會, HKB) is a Hongkonger expatriate association based in the United Kingdom that was established to unite the people of Hong Kong in the UK, and build an alliance with the international Hongkongers community. It was founded by a group of pro-democracy Hongkongers and activists including former British consulate officer Simon Cheng.

The group aims to offer a platform for Hongkongers to support each other, such as advising on setting up businesses,[1] enabling them to rebuild their lives in the UK and nurture a community spirit.[2][3][4] It also calls for expansion of the rights of British National (Overseas) passport holders through lobbying with the government, while promoting the Hong Kong culture in Britain.[citation needed]

BN(O) schemes

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Following the introduction of the national security law by China in Hong Kong in June 2020, British Government announced new route for British National (Overseas), or BN(O), passport holders and their dependent family members to apply for renewable five-year residence visas, eventually to gain the right of abode, starting from January 2021. Prior to that in December 2020, Hongkongers in Britain issued a policy study which found 90% of those considering to migrate to UK were as a result of the new security law. The association submitted the report to the Home Office for further consideration.[5][6][7][8][9]

As the visa scheme began, Hongkongers in Britain hosted seminars for prospective applicants.[10][4] It also vowed to work closely with the British governments, local authorities, and community organisations over the BN(O) scheme.[citation needed]

During the 2021 United Kingdom census, HKB called on Hongkongers to report themselves as "Hongkonger", instead of Chinese, for the government to understand the distribution of Hongkongers across the country.[11]

Expansion of scheme

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Hongkongers in Britain has received reports of difficulties from some BN(O)s in proving their right to work during job interviews. In some cases, employers are uncertain about the stamps for the LOTR status and they request a written proof issued by the Home Office to confirm the right to work. On 2 December 2020, Hongkongers in Britain sent a letter to the Home Secretary to ask for further clarification and actions to avail the information to British employers, such as specifying the rights coming with the LOTR stamp or issuing an official letter to relieve the doubts of the employers and the general public.[12]

In regards to financial difficulties where grassroot families cannot afford the BN(O) fees in one go, HKB suggested the Home Office to review on case-by-case basis, while three shadow ministers Stephen Kinnock, Holly Lynch, and Steve Reed also sent a letter to Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, warning the visa route would only be available "for the rich" unless the government reduces financial barriers.[13] Eventually in March 2021, the Home Office changed rules to allow those in difficult condition to access public funds on a case-by-case basis.[14]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Influx of Hongkongers Fails to Stem London's Posh Home Slide". Bloomberg. 23 February 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Hong Kongers in Britain Organize Support for Thousands of Newcomers". Voice of America. 9 February 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  3. ^ Hale, Erin (31 January 2021). "Britain launches new visa for millions of Hongkongers fleeing China's crackdown". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Hong Kong BN(O) visa applications already being approved, British group claims". South China Morning Post. 13 February 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  5. ^ John, Tara (21 February 2021). "Why Britain's anti-immigration politicians are opening the doors to thousands of Hong Kongers". CNN. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  6. ^ "Hong Kong migrants to UK will need support, ministers told". 11 December 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  7. ^ Graham-Harrison, Emma (12 December 2020). "UK government 'has underestimated takeup for Hong Kong resettlement scheme'". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  8. ^ 吳倬安 (11 December 2020). "BNO｜鄭文傑創立組織調查：九成人因國安法欲移英 報告交內政部". HK01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  9. ^ "在英港人組織調查：逾半受訪者一年內移民 14% 人稱永不回港 港局勢惡化勢加速移民潮". Stand News. Archived from the original on 28 June 2021.
  10. ^ "英國開放港人申請公民 2021年1月啟動措施". CNA (in Chinese (Taiwan)). Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  11. ^ "10 年 1 度英國人口普查 組織倡居英港人填 Hongkonger 說明身分". Stand News. 7 March 2021. Archived from the original on 4 July 2021.
  12. ^ "【移英之路】英國港僑協會促內政部發公函 釐清LOTR權利". Sing Tao Daily. 6 December 2020. Archived from the original on 5 June 2023.
  13. ^ "UK not prepared for Hong Kong migration". POLITICO. 1 March 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  14. ^ "UK changes course to allow benefits access for Hong Kongers". POLITICO. 5 March 2021. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
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