London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Thursday, Jul 31, 2025

The BNO door opens in North Point as pro-Beijing activists lambast British Prime Minister Boris Johnson in Admiralty.

North Point visa center opens for applicants

British National (Overseas) passport holders who are pursuing the new pathway to British citizenship started visiting a visa center in North Point yesterday.
They decided to apply early over fears that the Chinese government may launch more retaliatory measures targeting the British scheme.

The new BNO visa scheme - launched at 5pm on Sunday - allows BNO status holders and their immediate family members to live in Britain and apply for settlement after spending five years in the country and offers a pathway to citizenship after a further 12 months.

Some 100 people visited the North Point center yesterday to have their biometrics taken after making an online application.

Among them was a couple, Jason and Samantha, who decided to apply for the visa right after it launched as they were worried that Beijing and the SAR will launch more BNO countermeasures after no longer recognizing the BNO passport as a valid travel document and proof of identity.

"We had planned to emigrate but the recent social events made us decide to do this earlier," said Samantha.

Another applicant, Cheung, said she is rushing as she wants her two children to adapt to the new environment earlier.

"The political environment [in Hong Kong] is unhealthy, so we want to start a new life and move there as soon as possible," she said.

Meanwhile, lawmaker Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said Beijing's refusal to recognize BNO passports is only a symbolic move with little actual consequences, as Hongkongers are still able to enter or leave the city using SAR passports and Hong Kong ID cards.

Hong Kong authorities would only consider taking further action if a large number of Hongkongers emigrate to the UK or the UK government shows hostility against China and the SAR again, she said.

But Ip said those worried about arrests under the security law have already left the city.

She also warned immigrants who are not familiar with the local culture of the UK may face discrimination.

Authorities in Beijing should consider enforcing the Chinese nationality law and revoke the nationality of Hongkongers who immigrate, Ip said.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
US Treasury Secretary Calls for Institutional Review of Federal Reserve Amid AI‑Driven Growth Expectations
UK Government Considers Dropping Demand for Apple Encryption Backdoor
Severe Flooding in South Korea Claims Lives Amid Ongoing Rescue Operations
Japanese Man Discovers Family Connection Through DNA Testing After Decades of Separation
Russia Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Talks Amid Escalating Drone Warfare
Switzerland Implements Ban on Mammography Screening
Japanese Prime Minister Vows to Stay After Coalition Loses Upper House Majority
Pogacar Extends Dominance with Stage Fifteen Triumph at Tour de France
CEO Resigns Amid Controversy Over Relationship with HR Executive
Man Dies After Being Pulled Into MRI Machine Due to Metal Chain in New York Clinic
NVIDIA Achieves $4 Trillion Valuation Amid AI Demand
US Revokes Visas of Brazilian Corrupted Judges Amid Fake Bolsonaro Investigation
U.S. Congress Approves Rescissions Act Cutting Federal Funding for NPR and PBS
North Korea Restricts Foreign Tourist Access to New Seaside Resort
Brazil's Supreme Court Imposes Radical Restrictions on Former President Bolsonaro
Centrist Criticism of von der Leyen Resurfaces as she Survives EU Confidence Vote
Judge Criticizes DOJ Over Secrecy in Dropping Charges Against Gang Leader
Apple Closes $16.5 Billion Tax Dispute With Ireland
Von der Leyen Faces Setback Over €2 Trillion EU Budget Proposal
UK and Germany Collaborate on Global Military Equipment Sales
Trump Plans Over 10% Tariffs on African and Caribbean Nations
Flying Taxi CEO Reclaims Billionaire Status After Stock Surge
Epstein Files Deepen Republican Party Divide
Zuckerberg Faces $8 Billion Privacy Lawsuit From Meta Shareholders
FIFA Pressured to Rethink World Cup Calendar Due to Climate Change
SpaceX Nears $400 Billion Valuation With New Share Sale
×