BN(O) Visa-Holders and Their Children: Survey on the Impact of Proposed Immigration Policy Changes
Executive Summary
Survey Overview
This survey evaluates the impact of proposed amendments to the Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) requirements on BN(O) visa holders and their children. The study focuses on their psychological well-being, educational continuity, family stability and the long-term integration prospects.
A total of 2,244 responses were analyzed, including 1,898 parents of children aged 24 and under, as well as 346 young people aged 14–24. The target respondents include those youth individuals who were still minors when the programme was launched in 2021. Data collection occurred in two phases: 8-15 December 2025 and 13-20 January 2026.
More than half of the respondents (52.5%) migrated in 2021; they are the first group of families set to qualify for settlement in 2026, facing the greatest uncertainty as they have the least amount of time to adapt to these substantially revised requirements.
Key Findings
1. Widespread Emotional Disturbance Among Children and Youth
The proposed policy shift has triggered a mental health crisis:
- Anxiety: Over 85% of the young respondents and 93.8% of parents report significant anxiety.
- Daily Impact: 57.5% experience sleep disruption, while 61.9% report that the uncertainty hinders their daily functioning.
- Identity Crisis: 52.8% of youth now question the initial decision to migrate, reflecting deep-seated insecurity regarding their future and belonging in the UK.
2. Erosion of Family Stability and Emotional Safety
Policy uncertainty has directly translated into domestic tension:
- 47.5% parents reported increased conflicts and arguments stemming from the new requirements while the percentage among young people were higher at 51.2%.
The findings confirm that instability in immigration policy directly undermines the family’s role as a “safe haven” for children, negatively impacting their emotional stability.
3. Structural Barriers to Financial Requirements
Almost 80% of all respondents—even more in the youth group as 87.3%—found the proposed threshold of £12,570 annual income for at least three years insurmountable. This requirement is fundamentally incompatible with the life stages of young people and BN(O) visa restrictions:
- Education vs Income: 93% of young people cited full-time study as a total barrier to meeting the £12,570 income threshold.
- Caregiver Burden: 63.2% of parents are restricted by childcare responsibilities. Absence of extended family support and No Recourse to Public Fund status make full-time work impracticable for many.
4. Burden of B2 English Requirement
64.2% of all respondents reported difficulty in satisfying the B2 English requirement:
- Language Hurdles: 68.5% of parents lacked confidence in attaining B2 English requirement, with 87.9% citing age- and memory-related challenges (73.2% of parents are aged 45–64).
- Youth pressure: 40.8% of young people were not confident in achieving the required standard, mainly due to insufficient English proficiency (B1 or below) and heavy academic workloads.
5. Threats to Financial Stability and Educational Pathways
- Educational continuity at risk: 94% of parents state they cannot afford international student university fees for their children should they lose access to “home fee” status due to delayed or failed settlement.
- Bleak Future: Over 80% of young respondents said the new requirements may lead to disruption or even termination of education pathways due to the fee issue
- Financial Pressure: Over 90% of the parents expect hit on their family’s financial stability if they cannot gain settled status on time which is required by the Hong Kong government to release their pension.
Given the above, 93.7% of the young respondents say they will worry about long-term prospects of living in the UK while 87.9% believe their sense of belonging in the UK will be affected if the policy changes are introduced without transitional protection.
Irreversible Decisions Based on Original Policy Framework
6. Significant Changes to Lives
Families have made multiple irreversible life decisions based on the original scheme announced in 2021:
- 94.3% migrated as a whole family,
- 90% buying properties or signing long-term tenancies,
- 89.3% transferred all assets,
- 88.7% resigned from jobs and
- 70.4% sold their properties in Hong Kong.
The above decisions were intended for the securing of long-term stability for children. They would place families in extreme difficulties should the proposed changes been introduced without transitional protection.
7. Policy Shifts Undermining the Foundation of Migration Decisions
When asked if they would have applied for the BN(O) visa had the current ILR requirements been known from the outset, over 71% of parents said they would not have applied. This confirms that the proposed changes constitute a material departure from the conditions under which families made their original, irreversible life choices.
Anticipated Consequences and Social Impacts
8. Risk of Second Forced Migration
Without transitional arrangements, 51.2% of respondents would seriously consider or definitely leave the UK. This represents a second forced relocation for children during critical developmental years.
9. Emotional and Social Disruption
Approximately 70% of young respondents voiced concerns about experiencing significant emotional distress once more, being separated from friends again, and needing to adapt to yet another education system should they be forced to leave the UK.
Policy Recommendation & Appeal
10. Overwhelming Consensus for Transitional Protection
Conclusion
The proposed changes disproportionately harm children and young people, Without reasonable transitional safeguards, it will not only undermine policy credibility but may also force resided talents and their families to leave.
Hong Kong Well UK calls for fair and proportionate transitional arrangements – allowing families already in the UK to remain subject to the requirements promised in 2021 – to safeguard child welfare and honor the original intent of the BN(O) humanitarian route.
Prepared by Hong Kong Well UK
Release Date: 2nd February 2026
This document is the official version. A Word version has been provided to journalists for ease of use, but only this version should be treated as the official release. Any altered copies of the Word file are not authorised.
