“Those hailing from Hong Kong with British National (Overseas) passports can now travel to the UK without the need for an electronic travel authorisation (ETA). The UK government has expanded the original exemption, previously applicable only to BN(O) visa holders.

The shift in policy was revealed in a letter penned by Seema Malhotra, the Minister for Migration and Citizenship. She acknowledged that after reviewing the evidence, the decision was taken to remove the need for BN(O) passport holders to acquire an ETA for UK travel.

The move to ease travel restrictions for BN(O) passport holders is largely due to the strong connections between the BN(O) community and the UK. In addition to historical commitments, the fact that the UK issues their travel documents, much like it does for British citizens, played a crucial role in the decision. This was stated in Malhotra’s letter to David Alton, a member of the UK’s House of Lords, dated March 3.

Malhotra further emphasized that because the UK issues the BN(O) passport, there is a higher degree of certainty about the passport holder’s identity.

The Home Office intends to adjust the immigration rules to reflect this change at the earliest opportunity. However, the exemption will be closely monitored to prevent any potential misuse.

This development may be of interest to those looking to invest in the UK or those with an interest in immigration policies. However, the primary objective of this update is to inform about the change in travel requirements for BN(O) passport holders.”