The UK Home Office has widened the British National (Overseas) scheme to let Hongkongers who were under 18 at the 1997 handover to China apply for UK citizenship independently. This step comes after the 20-year prison sentence given to Hong Kong media boss Jimmy Lai for national security charges. The Home Office said the expansion "honours the UK’s historic commitment to the people of Hong Kong" amid "the continuing deterioration of rights and freedoms" there. Now, adult children of BN(O) status holders, born between 1979 and 1997, can apply without their parents, and their partners and children can also come to the UK. The government expects 26,000 arrivals through this route in the next five years. The BN(O) scheme started in 2021 after Beijing imposed the national security law on Hong Kong in 2020. Over 5 million Hongkongers hold BN(O) status, allowing them and their dependants to live, work, and study in the UK with a path to citizenship after five years. Earlier, only those born before the 1997 handover qualified directly, with adult children needing to apply with their parents. In 2022, the scheme was expanded somewhat, but now it covers more young Hongkongers who missed out before. Since launching, more than 230,000 BN(O) visas have been issued, and nearly 170,000 people have moved to Britain. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said, "This country will always honour its historic commitment to the people of Hong Kong." Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper added the update helps "young people who missed out on resettlement protection because of their age." Some Hongkongers online reacted with confusion, questioning the new English language and income rules that apply to BN(O) visa holders. One Reddit user said, "While the Home Office still hasn’t addressed the concern of the new [English proficiency and income] requirements, which potentially could kick lots of people out, they want more people to come so they can ‘honour its historic commitment’?" Another suggested the UK should focus first on helping those politically convicted in Hong Kong.