Exiled pro-democracy activist Nathan Law has accused the British government of reneging on its moral duty to Hong Kong people after ministers proposed doubling the qualifying period for settlement from five to ten years for most migrants.
Speaking to reporters in London on 29 November, Law said the plan—outlined in a Home Office ‘earned settlement’ consultation—would leave thousands of Hong Kong asylum-seekers in limbo and undermine Britain’s pledge to offer a safe haven to those fleeing Beijing’s crackdown. While the British National (Overseas) (BNO) visa route remains untouched, many escapees who lack BNO status—often frontline protesters and student activists—rely on mainstream asylum channels.
![UK permanent-residence overhaul could strand Hong Kong refugees, warns Nathan Law]()
Extending the route to indefinite leave to remain (ILR) to ten years would force refugees to spend longer on temporary visas with work-restriction and recourse-to-public-funds barriers, making it harder to establish new lives. Employers would also face extra compliance costs for renewing skilled-worker permits.
Law, who has a HK$1 million bounty on his head in Hong Kong, urged Westminster to carve out exemptions for human-rights cases linked to Hong Kong and to confirm that time spent under humanitarian protection will still count towards settlement. The Home Office said it remains “committed to supporting those at genuine risk of persecution” but defended the need to deter abuse of the immigration system.
Business-immigration lawyers expect corporations seconding staff from Hong Kong to review assignment budgets, as visa renewals, Immigration Health Surcharge payments and ILR applications could now span a decade. Some firms may opt to base regional roles in Dublin or Amsterdam instead, they said.
Speaking to reporters in London on 29 November, Law said the plan—outlined in a Home Office ‘earned settlement’ consultation—would leave thousands of Hong Kong asylum-seekers in limbo and undermine Britain’s pledge to offer a safe haven to those fleeing Beijing’s crackdown. While the British National (Overseas) (BNO) visa route remains untouched, many escapees who lack BNO status—often frontline protesters and student activists—rely on mainstream asylum channels.
Extending the route to indefinite leave to remain (ILR) to ten years would force refugees to spend longer on temporary visas with work-restriction and recourse-to-public-funds barriers, making it harder to establish new lives. Employers would also face extra compliance costs for renewing skilled-worker permits.
Law, who has a HK$1 million bounty on his head in Hong Kong, urged Westminster to carve out exemptions for human-rights cases linked to Hong Kong and to confirm that time spent under humanitarian protection will still count towards settlement. The Home Office said it remains “committed to supporting those at genuine risk of persecution” but defended the need to deter abuse of the immigration system.
Business-immigration lawyers expect corporations seconding staff from Hong Kong to review assignment budgets, as visa renewals, Immigration Health Surcharge payments and ILR applications could now span a decade. Some firms may opt to base regional roles in Dublin or Amsterdam instead, they said.
