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Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench) on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 3 December 2025. It was answered by Lord Hanson of Flint (Labour) on Wednesday, 3 December 2025 on behalf of the Home Office.

Visas: British National (Overseas)

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of legislating to provide that British National (Overseas) visa holders are not subject to immigration control; and what plans they have to grant holders of British National (Overseas) status a statutory right of abode in the United Kingdom.

Answer

The Government remains steadfast in its support for members of the Hong Kong community in the UK and is fully committed to the British National (Overseas) (BN(O) route, which will continue to welcome Hong Kongers. We confirmed in the earned settlement consultation document A Fairer Pathway to Settlement (CP1448) that those on the BN(O) route will retain a five-year route to settlement. We have no plans to legislate to create a right of abode for BN(O)s, or to otherwise exempt them from immigration control.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL12091
Session
2024-26
Related items
Subjects
Immigration controls Visas Right of abode British national (overseas)
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk