Survey reveals BN(O) families face mental health crisis under proposed ILR changes  

Over half of respondents may be forced into a second migration; children’s education and welfare at risk.

London, Feb 2, 2026 — A major new survey released today by Hong Kong Well UK (HKWUK) reveals that proposed changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) requirements are severely undermining the mental well‑being of children and young people in Hong Kong BN(O) families. More than half of respondents now face the prospect of a second forced migration.

The survey of 2,244 participants (1,898 parents and 346 young people aged 14–24) shows a community in profound distress: over 90% reported signs of anxiety, and 51.2% said they would seriously consider leaving the UK if the new rules are implemented without transitional protections.

The proposed “earned settlement” model would require BN(O) holders to demonstrate an annual income of no less than £12,750 for at least three years, alongside B2‑level English proficiency (up from B1). These proposals come just ahead of March 2026, when the first cohort of approximately 46,900 arrivals becomes eligible for settlement under the original policy terms.

Critically, 90% of families reported making irreversible life-changing decisions — selling homes, resigning jobs, and uprooting children’s education — based on the UK’s original settlement requirements and the government’s promise of “a new life for BN(O) holders and their families”.  Retrospective changes now place those decisions in jeopardy.

Human Impact

• Youth voice:
  “Worries about these changes have affected my studies, my relationship with my parents, and have made me feel decidedly unwelcome in this country despite my plans to stay here long‑term.”
• Youth voice:
  “If I cannot obtain settled status, I will likely lose access to higher education, as the international fees are far beyond what my family can afford.”
• Voice of a mother of two teenagers:
  “We once were a family embracing the new environment with positivity and optimism. Now we live in constant anxiety about our future.”
• Voice of a mother of two young one:(qualified UK teacher):
  “Childcare costs and lack of family support make full‑time work impossible. The new rules exclude families like mine, even though the UK faces teacher shortages.”

(Full details are available in the Story of Four Hongkongers in the UK)

Key Findings

• Mental health crisis: Over 85% of young people report anxiety; 57.5% suffer sleep problems.
• Family instability: 51.2% of youth report increased conflict at home linked to policy uncertainty.
• Education at risk: 83% of young people fear disruption to higher education; 94% of parents say they cannot afford international student fees.
• Structural barriers: Full‑time study, childcare responsibilities, and age‑related challenges make income and English requirements impossible to meet.

(Full statistics are available in the Executive Summary and Key Data Tables.)

HKWUK Position

HKWUK urgently calls on the Home Office to introduce fair transitional arrangements so existing BN(O) families already in the UK remain subject to the original ILR requirements.

A spokesperson said:

“This is not a request for preferential treatment, but for transitional protection that recognises the legitimate reliance placed on the original BN(O) framework. Similar exemptions have previously been granted to migrants under the High Skill Migrants Program. Without it, thousands of children face a second forced migration and a deepening mental health crisis.”

(Full details can be found in Hong Kong Well UK’s recommendations)

ENDS

For media enquiries, contact: Rev Kan Yu – trustee@hongkongwell.uk

About Hong Kong Well UK

Hong Kong Well UK is a UK‑registered Community Interest Company minding the mental well‑being of children migrants from Hong Kong and their parents since early 2022. It provides bespoke counselling, integration advice, and parenting guidance in their mother tongue. It was the only Hongkongers’ organisation funded by the Children and Young People Resettlement Fund in 2023–2025.

• Executive Summary
• Key Data Tables
• The Story of Four Hongkongers in the UK
• Hong Kong Well UK’s recommendations

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.