P-06-1486 Grant BN(O) Hong Kong students home fee status after three years of residence

Petitions4

This petition was submitted by Chai Yiu Melody Lin, having collected 377 signatures.

Text of petition:

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.

Additional information:

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.

Status 

This petition was considered completed by the Petitions Committee at its meeting on 10/03/2025. 

Full details of the consideration of this petition by the Committee and related documents can be seen on the Meetings tab above. 

It was first considered by the Petitions Committee on 18/11/2024. 

Senedd Constituency and Region

§  Swansea West

§  South Wales West

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