Several high-profile Hong Kong pro-democracy activists have faced obstacles within the UK's immigration system, despite the British National (Overseas) visa route designed to assist those under political pressure. The BN(O) visa route, opened in January 2021, has granted over 230,000 visas.
Wu Chi-wai, 63, a former chair of Hong Kong's Democratic party and legislator, was refused entry at Heathrow upon arrival in the UK, where his family had settled. He had been advised by the British consulate in Hong Kong that he could apply for the BN(O) visa once in the UK. Wu's passport was confiscated, and he was initially told he would be removed to Hong Kong within seven days. His length of stay has since been extended to six months following media attention, with the Home Office citing an administrative issue and concerns about the nature of his visit.
Earlier cases include Chloe Cheung, who has a HK$1 million (£100,000) bounty on her head from Hong Kong authorities. Her application for indefinite leave to remain was initially withheld, with the Home Office reportedly asking her to explain her "criminality," before being granted after public and parliamentary pressure. Finn Lau, also with a bounty, had his citizenship application assessed for over eight months, exceeding the Home Office's target for decisions within six months, before it was approved after public campaigns.