Petition Grant BN(O) Hong Kong students home fee status after three years of residence
The British National (Overseas) visa, launched in January 2021 after the National Security Law in Hong Kong, offers a pathway to UK citizenship for Hongkongers. Many BN(O) visa holders and their dependents have since moved to the UK, including Wales. While the UK Government calls this visa a reflection of its "historic and moral commitment" to Hongkongers, classifying BN(O) students as international students undermines this, as they face higher tuition fees and financial barriers to education.
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Here in Wales, the Senedd can do more to create a welcoming environment for those from Hong Kong. In Scotland, BN(O) Hong Kong students are granted home fee status after three years of residence. In contrast, in Wales (and other UK countries), BN(O) Hongkongers are only eligible for home fee status after five years of residence, once considered "settled." The Senedd has the power to grant exemptions for groups like Afghan and Ukrainian students, and we urge the same for BN(O) Hong Kong students.
This petition calls for the Senedd to grant BN(O) Hong Kong students home fee status after three years of residence, or adopt a more progressive measure. Currently, while the home fee in Wales is capped at £9,000 per year, international fees, set by universities, can be double or more, creating a significant financial burden. Without access to student finance due to the "settled status" rule, many BN(O) students face insurmountable barriers to higher education.
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