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Comments by Sanwar Ali:
Hong Kong British National Overseas (BNO) citizens should consider coming under the long term UK visa scheme. Those who feel unsafe in Hong Kong may wish to come under a visa scheme that will eventually lead to indefinite leave remain and UK citizenship. China has a bad record when it comes to human rights abuses. The UK has very high visa fees. However, compared to requirements for other non-EU citizens this scheme is quite generous to the people of Hong Kong.
There are increasing concerns about China’s alleged genocide against the Muslim Uighur population. An independent tribunal in London will investigate rights abuses against Uighurs and others in Xinjiang. This will surely cause further worry to the people in Hong Kong on how they may be treated in future under the new Chinese security law.
The second ballot for the Tier 5 youth mobility scheme (YMS) will open to Hong Kong SAR passport holders in October, the UK government has announced. The UK/Hong Kong YMS is entering its seventh year and gives people aged 18 – 30 the opportunity to live, work and study in the UK for a duration of two years.
In contrast to previous years, the selection criteria has been altered to a lottery-based system that will be overseen by the UK Visas and Immigration department of the Home Office. The requirement to provide a Certificate of Sponsorship has also been scrapped.
A total of 1,000 places will be made available to Hong Kong SAR passport holders. A high proportion of places were awarded in the first ballot, which occurred earlier this year.
Applying for the UK Tier 5 YMS Visa
Applicants will need to send an email to the following address HongKongYMS2020.ballotrequest@fcdo.gov.uk between midday on Monday 21 September and midday on Wednesday 23 September.
The subject line of the email should contain the applicant’s name, date of birth in this format (dd/mm/yyyy) and passport number.
In the body of the email the applicant’s name, date of birth, passport number and mobile phone number should be included. The email address will only be active for 48 hours and applicant’s will receive an automated response acknowledging receipt of their application.
Once the ballot is closed, 1,000 applicants will be chosen at random. Successful applicants will be notified by email no later than 30 September, and will need to confirm their acceptance on the scheme.
Further instructions on how to make an appointment will be provided, along with details of the documentary evidence needed to apply for entry clearance to the UK.
Online UK visa application required for successful applicants
Successful applicants are being advised that they must submit an online application and pay fees by no later than 30 October. Failure to make payment will result in the applicant being removed from the scheme. Upon paying fees, applicants have 90 days to submit paperwork.
Hong Kong SAR passport holders based overseas can apply as per the information provided above. Chosen applicants can apply from the country in which they are based. Submissions for the 2020 YMS scheme cannot be made from within the UK.
Unsuccessful applicants will be notified no later than 30 September.
Hong Kong BNO passport holders can also apply
Hong Kong citizens who hold a British National Overseas (BNO) passport are eligible to apply for a UK visa under the Youth Mobility Program. BNO passport holders are not subject to sponsorship requirements or restricted by quotas.
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