The British Home Office recently announced that since the launch of the British National (Overseas) (BNO) visa scheme in 2020, more than 140,000 Hongkongers have been able to live and work in the UK.
Robert Jenrick, British Home Office Minister, praised the Hongkongers who migrated to Britain for contributing to the local community and economy, and he was honored for them to choose Britain as their home.
“We continue to take action to uphold our moral and historic commitment to the people of Hong Kong, and I feel particularly proud when I hear the stories and witness the incredible contributions Hongkongers are already making to our local communities and our economy,” said Jenrick.
“From working for the NHS (National Health Service) to volunteering to help those fleeing Afghanistan and Ukraine, to teaching at our schools to working in the private sector, using all their entrepreneurial talents to power our economy forwards, many Hongkongers have said living in Britain is like coming home and we are so honored to have so many brilliant people choosing to make our great nation their home,” he said.
“I look forward to welcoming more eligible Hongkongers over the next few years,” added Jenrick.
Hongkongers in Birmingham
The UK has been the most popular migration destination for Hongkongers. Birmingham is the largest city outside of London, where most Hongkongers chose to settle beside London town.According to the data of British National Statistics, about 2,656 Hongkongers are living in Birmingham by March 21, 2021. It topped the first place as the most populated area of Hongkongers.
Although Hongkongers in Britain have been trying hard to integrate into the British community, a survey with 822 valid respondents found that 30 percent of Hongkongers had not adapted to British life, and 18.5 percent were in dire need of support in terms of living expenses.
Recently, our reporter interviewed several Hongkongers working in Birmingham, and some said that local companies would hire people of different races to achieve racial integration. They said that Hongkongers are skilled and welcomed by local companies.
Some Hongkongers expressed that migration is never an easy task. Ethnic minorities having to leave their home and start again from the ground up is a hurdle-filled journey. Some of the essential concerns from Hongkongers are how they can blend in the society, find work and understand British history and culture.
The praise from the Home Office may encourage Hongkongers to work harder for their contribution to Britain.
