Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) Welcome Programme – information for local authorities
Information for local authorities and others who are working with British National (Overseas) [BN(O)] visa holders arriving from Hong Kong via the UK government’s BN(O) route.
Introduction
This resource is for local authorities and others who are working with British National (Overseas) [BN(O)] visa holders arriving from Hong Kong via the UK government’s BN(O) route. It aims to provide answers to frequently asked questions about the support available.
See further information and associated application process on the BN(O) route which launched on 31 January 2021.
This resource is intended as a repository for good practice and learning. If you have any comments or additional questions please contact the department.
Supporting new arrivals
Local authorities have played a key role in working with local partners and communities to ensure those on the BN(O) route are welcomed and given help and support to successfully integrate in their new communities.
Local authorities and their partners in the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) sector have extensive experience of welcoming new arrivals to live and work in their area. While those on the BN(O) route will, in some instances, require specific support, we recognise the wealth of local experience in delivering successful integration programmes that already exists. We have therefore provided links to best practice and resources available in the ‘Resources’ section.
Please note that some of this information applies to England only. Where this is the case, it has been highlighted under each section.
Hong Kong BN(O) UK Welcome Programme – summary
An immigration route opened on 31 January 2021, providing British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) visa holders from Hong Kong and their eligible dependants with the opportunity to come to the UK to live, study and work, on a pathway to citizenship.
This route reflects the UK’s historic and moral commitment to those people of Hong Kong who chose to retain their ties to the UK by taking up BN(O) visa at the point of Hong Kong’s handover to China in 1997.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has delivered a funded national ‘Welcome Programme’ to support those on the BN(O) route and their families to help them to successfully settle in their new communities.
The Welcome Programme has the following elements:
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Demand-led funding for local authorities in England to support BN(O) visa holders and their families with English language and destitution support (funding for English language and destitution support will be available until 31 March 2026).
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An online Welcome Pack providing all those on the BN(O) route with information on how to access services and understand life in the UK. The pack has been updated with the latest information and will remain accessible on GOV.UK.
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A network of 12 Welcome Hubs across the whole of the UK to support those arriving on the BN(O) route, established using the existing infrastructure of the Strategic Migration Partnerships (SMPs).
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We are funding On Your Side, the hate crime reporting and support service for BN(O)s and East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) communities in the UK, up to the 31 March 2026. The service will operate independently from Welcome Programme funding from April 2026.
The aims of the ‘Welcome Programme’ are:
- enabling those on the BN(O) route to fully contribute economically and socially to life in the UK, enriching our society
- enabling those on the BN(O) route to feel part of UK society, able to mix confidently with people of all backgrounds and provide a positive contribution to the UK and where they settle, including through speaking English well
- providing support to both resident communities and those on the BN(O) route to feel safe and welcome, including by ensuring that any hate crime is tackled promptly, with follow-up support offered
- ensuring that any instances of destitution and underemployment for those on the BN(O) route is minimised and addressed through effective support services
- ensuring the Welcome Programme is trusted and endorsed by those on the BN(O) route, whilst balancing wider government interests
Funding
What support is being offered via the Hong Kong BN(O) Welcome Programme?
In March 2025, MHCLG continued funding for the Hong Kong BN(O) Welcome Programme for 2025-26. This includes continued demand-led funding for local authorities in England for English language support (up until 31 March 2026) and destitution support where needed, alongside further funding for Strategic Migration Partnerships.
Additional funding has also been provided to extend the online hate crime reporting service ‘On Your Side’ until the 31 March 2026. The service will continue to operate once MHCLG funding has ended and is open to anybody in the UK who identifies as part of an East or Southeast Asian community.
Why has the government provided funding for a BN(O) UK Welcome Programme?
Previous programmes run by MHCLG, such as the Controlling Migration Fund and the Syrian Resettlement Programme, and more recently Homes for Ukraine, have demonstrated the importance of putting in place a support package for new migrants to enable them to settle into their new communities more effectively. MHCLG is also supporting those from Afghanistan and Ukraine.
If new migrants can integrate with the settled community, speak English, use services and be economically active, this significantly reduces pressures on local services (including housing where people are at risk of destitution) and minimises negative impacts on community cohesion and tensions.
Demand-led English language and destitution funding (England only)
English language and destitution support: funding update for local authorities
As part of the UK government’s commitment to supporting BN(O) visa holders and their families arriving from Hong Kong, MHCLG confirmed the continuation of demand-led funding for English language provision and destitution support in England until 31 March 2026. This update provides essential information for local authorities regarding the funding available, specifically in relation to English language and destitution support beyond 31 March 2026.
English language:
From 1 August 2025, BN(O) visa holders and their adult dependents who are ordinarily resident in the UK will be eligible to access mainstream education and training provision funded through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF). This includes English language support and broader learning opportunities, with simplified residency rules.
Local authorities can still claim £850 per person from MHCLG for individuals where ASF provision does not meet the needs of individual BN(O) visa holders, or where individuals are not eligible under the new rules. The £850 per person funding is time-limited and will end after 31 March 2026.
This change only applies to courses that commenced after 1 April 2025 and are scheduled to end by 31 March 2026. Local authorities should avoid any new enrolments for courses scheduled to run beyond this date, where using MHCLG funding. Where courses end after 31 March 2026, local authorities will only be able to claim the proportion of costs up to that date.
Transition to ASF and other support
Post 31 March 2026, BN(O) visa holders will continue to be eligible for mainstream provision through the ASF, provided they are ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK. In addition, MHCLG has launched the STEP English and Employment Programme, a targeted initiative offering intensive English language tuition alongside tailored employability support. This programme is designed to help unemployed and under-employed BN(O) visa holders improve their language skills, overcome barriers to employment, and access higher-skilled job opportunities.
The STEP programme will run from September 2025 to August 2026 and aims to support up to 4,000 individuals, split evenly between BN(O)s and Ukrainians. Further information can be found at: World Jewish Relief: STEP .
Destitution support
Up to £2,720 per BN(O) household is available for those assessed as destitute or at risk of destitution. This support will continue to be available up until 31 March 2026, subject to eligibility and guidance.
This guidance will remain valid and applicable until 31 March 2026. After this date BN(O) visa holders should be directed to the Welcome Pack, which provides clear and accessible information on the services and support available to them upon arrival in the UK.
What do you mean by supporting access to English language provision?
It will be for each local authority to decide what assistance can be provided to those on the BN(O) route who require support to learn English or improve their English language ability.
The ambition is for local authorities making claims for this funding to build upon existing English language infrastructure in place within their local area. This may be through collaboration with community groups and English language providers already established within their local area.
From 1 August 2025, individuals on the BN(O) route who are ordinarily resident in the UK will be eligible to access education and training provision funded through the ASF. In addition, eligible BN(O) visa holders living in England can benefit from the STEP English Language and Employment Support Programme, which offers free online English classes and personalised employment support.
What do you mean by ‘destitution support’?
It will be for each local authority to decide what assistance can be provided to BN(O) visa holders and their families based upon an individual assessment of a person or household’s status, circumstances, and support needs. Where a local authority considers that assistance is appropriate, the local authority should satisfy itself that support provided is within the law.
Can local authorities claim for support provided to people who are not BN(O) visa holders or on the BN(O) route but are from Hong Kong?
The funding is available for support provided to BN(O) visa holders and their eligible dependents who are on the BN(O) route.
Funding does not cover those who have BN(O) status but have entered the UK through other immigration routes, such as through the points-based system, the youth mobility scheme, student visas or as a visitor. Similarly, the funding cannot be claimed for support provided to those currently seeking asylum in the UK.
It also does not cover individuals who have been granted ‘Leave Outside the Rules’ until they have made a successful application to the BN(O) route.
How much funding is available?
Funding of up to £850 per person claimable from MHCLG is available to support access to English language classes for those on the BN(O) route for courses that commenced after 1 April 2025. However, this funding is now time-limited and will only be available until 31 March 2026. Local authorities should ensure that BN(O)s are made aware of this opportunity and are supported in accessing the relevant provision before the funding period ends.
In addition, from 1 August 2025, individuals on the BN(O) route who are ordinarily resident in the UK will also be eligible to access mainstream education and training provision funded through the ASF. This alternative support offers a broader range of learning opportunities beyond English language provision and eligibility is now not restricted by length of residence, as was previously the case. In addition, BN(O) visa holders living in England can benefit from the STEP English Language and Employment Support Programme, which offers free online English classes and personalised employment support.
Local authorities are encouraged to signpost residents to both funding streams where appropriate, ensuring individuals can benefit from the alternative and most suitable provision available until 31 March 2026.
Funding of up to £2,720 per BN(O) household is available for destitution support, but only until 31 March 2026.
Are there any changes to the eligibility requirements?
There are no changes to the eligibility criteria for the MHCLG £850 funding for English language support but is now time limited and will end on 31 March 2026. From 1 August 2025, BN(O) visa holders are eligible to access alternative mainstream provision funded through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF).
Under the new ASF rules, BN(O)s will be eligible for support if they are ordinarily resident in the UK on the first day of learning, and the learning takes place in England. This change simplifies access and broadens eligibility for ASF-funded provision.
To support a smooth transition, the MHCLG £850 per person funding remains available until 31 March 2026 for cases where ASF provision does not meet the needs of individual BN(O)s, or where individuals are not eligible under the new rules.
Why is the government ending the availability of the £850 funding?
This support has helped many individuals build confidence, improve their language skills, and access wider opportunities. As the BN(O) community becomes more established and mainstream services become more accessible, it is now an appropriate point to begin the transitioning away from tailored provision and towards the universal support where it is available.
As of the 1 August 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) have simplified residency eligibility for the ASF, enabling BN(O)s to access mainstream English language provision earlier than was previously the case. This policy change removes the need for a separate, bespoke offer for English language support. Therefore, MHCLG has taken the decision that from 31 March 2026, the bespoke English language funding (£850pp) will no longer be available.
To support a smooth transition, the £850pp funding remains available until 31 March 2026 for cases where ASF provision does not meet the needs of BN(O)s or where individuals are not eligible under the new rules.
Local authorities are also encouraged to direct BN(O) visa holders living in England to the STEP English Language and Employment Support Programme, which offers free online English classes and personalised employment support.
How often will local authorities receive retrospective payments, and does this mean that local authorities have to pay upfront for BN(O) support?
Payments for BN(O) support will continue to be made quarterly on a retrospective basis as set out in the guidance. This means that local authorities may need to pay upfront for support provided to BN(O) visa holders in their areas. The guidance sets out the eligibility criteria for funding, giving local authorities clarity on the level of support expected.
To ensure all eligible claims are processed before the funding ends on 31 March 2026, local authorities should submit their final claims in line with the deadlines set out in the guidance.
Do local authorities have to provide evidence to support claims when spending these funds?
The claim form for this funding asks the local authority to confirm that it has seen evidence that the individual or household requires support. We worked with the Local Government Association and local authorities to agree the format of this.
It is important that MHCLG and partners across government work together to understand any themes, innovation or good practice emerging that could help inform policy developments in this space.
We would also expect that any local authority receiving this funding would contribute to best practice or similar learning/ knowledge sharing exercises.
Claims must be made on DELTA (MHCLG’s in-house data collection platform) in line with claim dates as set out in the guidance. Local authorities need to register with DELTA to submit claims to the department. To help local authorities understand what information is required, the department can provide a sample copy of the online form and guidance on how to use DELTA. Email hongkong@communities.gov.uk for further information.
Can the funding be used to deliver online resources to complement face to face English language provision?
Local authorities and providers were required to consider the way learning was delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, many are now embracing digital technology to enhance the way things are done, including increasing digital access. If the online resources contribute to the delivery of the learning and are part of the provision, then local authorities may reclaim the costs for this up to the limit.
Can local authorities use the funding to pay for English language classes delivered by a private provider?
Local authorities are best placed to determine what funding arrangements are put in place between themselves and providers. This approach recognises the flexibility that local authorities have to decide on what works best, taking into account local variations in delivery and structures.
Is the funding aimed at a specific type of English language provision?
BN(O) visa holders will have differing needs and levels of English language and literacy, so there is no singular type of provision that this funding should be used for. The primary focus of any provision should be the improvement of English language skills and confidence.
The local authority funding requirements should be informed by the nature of existing local provision and by each adult learner’s specific circumstances and learning requirements.
Will local authorities be able to reclaim the costs of providing creche/childcare provision where required for English language provision?
We recognise that some learners face certain barriers to participation in learning, such as caring and childcare responsibilities. Where a learner requires creche/childcare provision, local authorities should consider practical solutions to support learners. These costs should be included in the total cost and may be claimed subject to the limit per learner. Further information on these costs is required as part of the claim form.
Can I claim for associated costs such as exam fees, initial learner assessments etc?
These costs should be included in the total cost and may be claimed up to the limit.
How can a local authority support a person on the BN(O) route who is destitute or at risk of destitution?
Local authorities can claim for the costs of providing support to a person on the BN(O) route where they have seen evidence that they are destitute or at risk of destitution.
A Change of Conditions application to lift a ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ (NRPF) status must be made prior to the local authority submitting a claim to MHCLG. The costs of providing support to the status holder and their household can be met until the NRPF condition has been lifted.
Where a person on the BN(O) route approaches their local authority for support before submitting a Change of Conditions application, they should be encouraged to make the application as soon as reasonably practicable. Family members on the BN(O) route can also apply for a Change of Conditions separately to the lead applicant and they should also be encouraged to make an application as soon as possible.
Are there any changes to the destitution eligibility requirements?
Funding of up to £2,720 is available per BN(O) household for those that find themselves destitute or at risk of destitution. This funding is available until 31 March 2026.
Strategic Migration Partnerships and Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) organisations
What is the role of the wider SMP network?
Strategic Migration Partnerships (SMPs) coordinate and support local delivery of national programmes in asylum and refugee schemes, as well as agreed regional and devolved migration priorities.
SMPs work with stakeholders in the statutory, voluntary, private and community sectors to provide a strategic leadership, advisory and coordination function on migration for their regions and Devolved Governments, ensuring a coordinated approach to migration and the sharing of relevant information and good practice. The hosting arrangements for each SMP may differ depending on regional and national structures.
There are 12 SMPs partnerships across England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland. Please note support in Northern Ireland is hosted by The Executive Office, which is part of the Northern Ireland Executive.
SMPs play an integral role in supporting all MHCLG Resettlement cohorts, by:
- working closely with partners to share resources, review requests for support and, where appropriate, assisting with joint commissioning between areas. This includes working with VCSE organisations that are funded by MHCLG
- communicating and raising awareness of the Department’s work with Resettlement cohorts throughout regional networks
- providing constructive feedback to the Department on issues and challenges that cannot be resolved locally
- acting as a critical friend to the Department facilitating continuous improvement in community cohesion and support for local areas
- capturing and sharing aggregated data and intelligence with MHCLG
- acting as a conduit for the sharing of information and evidence between central government, Devolved Governments, local authorities and local partners
Where can I find more information on the Strategic Migration Partnerships?
All SMPs have websites with information on their organisation and support in their regions. These are as follows:
| Location | Website |
|---|---|
| East Midlands | East Midlands Councils: Asylum and Refugee Resettlement |
| East of England | Local Government East: Strategic Migration Partnership |
| London | London City Hall: Migrants and refugees |
| North East | North East Migration Partnership |
| North West | North West Regional Strategic Migration Partnership |
| Northern Ireland | NI Direct: British Nationals (Overseas) Hong Kong residents |
| Scotland | Migration Scotland |
| South East | South East Strategic Partnership for Migration |
| South West | South West Councils |
| Wales | Wales Strategic Migration Partnership |
| West Midlands | Website TBC |
| Yorkshire & Humber | Migration Yorkshire |
Local authorities work closely with the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector, what support is available for these organisations and how do they support the BN(O) community?
‘On Your Side’ for East and Southeast Asian communities will extend their services beyond 31 March 2026 without ongoing MHCLG financial support.
BN(O) arrivals
Do we know where BN(O) visa holders settle when they arrive?
We know that existing Hong Kong communities are spread across the UK, with bigger communities in larger cities.
A survey undertaken in 2023 by the Welcoming Committee for Hong Kongers, funded by MHCLG and the Home Office, has given us a good understanding of the location of BN(O) visa holders across the UK.
Approximately 1 in 5 BN(O) visa holders lives in the North West (20%), South East (19%) and London (18%) – with the West Midlands (12%) and East Midlands (8%) also home to large populations. Other regions have their own populations, such as East of England (6%), the South West (5%), Yorkshire and the Humber (5%), Scotland (4%), and Wales, North East and Northern Ireland (c.1% each).
Policy specific issues
English language (England only)
English language is an important part of successful integration, what support is available for BN(O) visa holders and their family members who can’t speak English or require classes?
Guidance issued to local authorities sets out how local authorities can claim for the costs of providing support with English language for BN(O) visa holders and their family members who need it. This funding will end from 31 March 2026.
Can BN(O) visa holders access the Adult Skills Fund (ASF)?
As of the 1 August 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) have simplified residency eligibility for the Adult Skills Fund (ASF), enabling BN(O)s to access mainstream English language provision and a broader range of learning opportunities earlier than was previously the case.
To support a smooth transition, the MHCLG £850 per person funding remains available until 31 March 2026 for cases where ASF provision does not meet the needs of BN(O)s or where individuals are not eligible under the new rules.
Education and training provided via the ASF will either be fully funded or co-funded depending on the individual’s age, prior attainment, and employment circumstances.
Please be aware the ASF funding rules can vary by region.
Can the £850 per person funding be used together with ASF?
The £850 per person funding remains available until 31 March 2026 only for cases where ASF provision does not meet BN(O) visa holders needs, or where individuals are not eligible under the new rules.
No new enrolments should be made for English language courses scheduled to run beyond 31 March 2026 using the MHCLG funding. For courses ending after 31 March 2026, local authorities may claim only the proportion of costs up to 31 March 2026, which can be submitted in Q4.
Can the £850 funding be used to pay for ASF courses?
The £850 funding cannot be used to pay for courses that are already fully funded through the ASF. This ensures that public funds are not duplicated, maximising their reach and effectiveness by targeting distinct needs.
No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)
Why do you impose NRPF conditions on migrant visa routes?
It is a well-established principle that migrants coming to the UK should be able to maintain and support themselves and their families without recourse to public funds.
These restrictions are an important plank of immigration policy designed to assure the public that controlled immigration brings real benefits to the UK, rather than costs to the public purse.
Are BN(O) visa holders subject to the NRPF condition?
Those on the BN(O) route have a ‘no recourse to public funds’ (NRPF) condition attached to their leave. This means they are not able to access benefits and services classed as public funds which are set out in section 115 of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 and at paragraph 6 of the Immigration Rules. They do, however, have permission to work and study. Those on the BN(O) route are entitled to access a state funded school for their children if they live in the UK.
Those on the BN(O) route can apply for a Change of Conditions to have their NRPF condition lifted in the case of destitution or where there is a risk of imminent destitution, a risk to the welfare of a child or if the applicant is experiencing exceptional financial circumstances.
Applicants can apply for a Change of Conditions if:
- the applicant’s financial circumstances have changed since being given permission to stay in the UK and they are no longer able to provide food or housing for themselves or their family
- the applicant’s child is at risk because of their very low income
The NRPF restriction does not stop BN(O) visa holders being supported by charities. BN(O) visa holders should contact their local authority if they are destitute, or at risk of destitution, as they may still be able to access some support. English language support is not included in NRPF restrictions.
Local authorities that provide support to BN(O) visa holders and their families who are destitute or at risk of destitution can access MHCLG’s targeted support funding.
It should be noted that where a person on the BN(O) route successfully applies for a Change of Conditions, this will not impact their ability to qualify for settlement on the BN(O) route after 5 years living in the UK.
What is considered destitution in relation to the lifting of NRPF?
In line with other immigration routes across the system that allow for a change of conditions, a person is considered destitute if:
- they do not have adequate accommodation or any means of obtaining it (whether or not their other essential living needs are met)
- they have adequate accommodation or the means of obtaining it but cannot meet their other essential living needs
They are at risk of destitution if either or both of the above are imminent.
What is the process for BN(O) visa holders who need to apply for a Change of Condition?
Applicants who wish to can apply for a Change of Condition.
Can BN(O) visa holders apply for destitution support whilst their application to lift NRPF condition is being assessed?
Whilst the Change of Condition application is being assessed by the Home Office, BN(O) visa holders can apply for support from their local authority in the interim period. This can be accessed via the Welcome Programme: Welcome: a guide for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa holders in the UK.
Can BN(O) visa holders apply for destitution support if their application is rejected?
The local authority targeted element of the programme is available to help individuals on the BN(O) route settle into life in the UK. Further information can be found at Welcome: a guide for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa holders in the UK.
Why can those on the BN(O) route apply to lift this condition when this is not necessarily available to other migrants?
The BN(O) route reflects the UK’s historic and moral commitment to those people of Hong Kong who chose to retain their ties to the UK by taking up BN(O) status at the point of Hong Kong’s handover to China in 1997.
This route was set up following China’s passing of the National Security Law. This new law significantly impacts the rights and freedoms of the people of Hong Kong. Since the situation that BN(O) visa holders find themselves in has changed, it is right that their rights and entitlements in the UK change too.
This route will not set a precedent. It is a proportionate response to the situation which has arisen, in order to offer a choice that affords long-term safety and stability for these individuals and their families.
If there is a delay between BN(O) visa holders applying to have the NRPF condition lifted, and the application being granted, who will support them?
Local authorities that provide support to BN(O) visa holders and their families who are destitute or at risk of destitution can access MHCLG’s targeted support funding.
Housing (England only)
Some local areas already have difficulties with housing supply, are local authorities expected to provide accommodation to BN(O) visa holders?
BN(O) visa holders and their adult children are expected to be self-sufficient and contribute to UK society.
To be eligible for the BN(O) route, applicants must prove they are able to maintain themselves and their families in the UK for 6 months, and in every case, an initial grant of leave will have no recourse to public funds. BN(O) visa holders can apply for settled status after 5 years continuous residence in the UK but in the meantime, they are not eligible to access most public funds unless they have applied for a Change of Conditions. See section No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF).
Local authorities may be expected to provide some form of support in managing tenancies, assessing any eligibility for local deposit schemes and understanding rights and entitlements to housing and welfare support, where that may be appropriate. The targeted support funding factors in the potential impacts on homelessness, housing and translation services demands.
Will those on the BN(O) route who have successfully applied to have the no recourse to public funds (NRPF) condition lifted have access to social housing?
The Housing Act 1996 provides that a local housing authority shall not allocate housing to persons from abroad who are not eligible (section 160ZA(1)(a)).
There are two types of persons from abroad for these purposes:
- persons who are subject to immigration control who will not be eligible for an allocation of housing accommodation (social housing) unless they come within a class of person prescribed in regulations made by the Secretary of State (section 160ZA(2) of the 1996 Act)
- other persons from abroad who will be eligible for an allocation of social housing unless they come within a class of person prescribed as ineligible by virtue of regulations made by the Secretary of State under section 160ZA(4)
In June 2021, regulations came into force to ensure that people from Hong Kong who are on the BN(O) route and have their no recourse to public funds condition lifted due to destitution are also eligible for social housing and homelessness assistance.
Resources
We have highlighted resources below that local authorities may find helpful when considering their integration plans. Further resources will be added over time:
- LGA’s guidance on community cohesion
- Home Office’s indicators framework provides practical ways to design more effective strategies, monitor services and evaluate integration interventions
- Syrian Resettlement Scheme – a guide for local authorities
- Guidance on the Afghan citizens resettlement scheme
- Homes for Ukraine: guidance for councils
- Resettling refugees: support after the first year – a guide for local authorities
- Welcome Pack for arrivals from Hong Kong on the BN(O) visa
Updates to this page
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Updated guidance.
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Updated guidance.
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Updated to reflect that the Home Office are replacing physical immigration documents with an eVisa.
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Government announces a fourth year of support to help Hong Kongers settle into life in the UK.
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Updated information for local authorities.
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Updated to reflect issue of guidance on targeted support for ESOL and destitution to local authorities, publication of prospectuses on VCSE funds and general updates on welcome programme.
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First published.