Written question asked by Lord Pendry (Labour) on Monday, 14 October 2019, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 28 October 2019. It was answered by Baroness Williams of Trafford (Conservative) on Monday, 28 October 2019 on behalf of the Home Office.

Immigration: British National (Overseas)

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to bring forward legislation to ensure that all holders of British National Overseas passports have the right to enter the United Kingdom to work or study.

Answer: Holders of British National (Overseas) passports are non-visa nationals and can apply for the right to work or study in the UK. This means that they can enter the UK for six months or less without the need to obtain a visit visa but would need to apply from outside the UK, and meet the criteria, for any work or study route. The UK continues to support the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ model underpinned by the Sino-British Joint Declaration; the immigration status of BN(O)s is part of this agreement.

Secondary information