The British Passport Stoking Controversy in Hong Kong

As China asserts its control over Hong Kong with a national security law that came into force in mid-2020, the U.K. is offering some residents of its former colony a potential route out: a proposal to allow longer stays in Britain and a pathway to future citizenship. More than 5 million people, including dependents, could qualify, although only a fraction of that total is expected to make the move anytime soon.

It has to do with giving expanded rights to Hong Kong residents with unique travel documents known as British National (Overseas), or BN(O), passports, and to those considered to be eligible for them. The U.K. created the passports before handing Hong Kong back to China in 1997. They allowed holders to visit the U.K. visa-free for up to six months, but didn’t automatically confer the right to live or work there. Holders also weren’t eligible to access public funds.