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Immigration Reforms: Humanitarian Visa Routes
25 November 2025
Lead MP
James Naish
Rushcliffe
Lab
Responding Minister
Mike Tapp
Tags
ImmigrationAsylum & RefugeesUkraine
Word Count: 13905
Other Contributors: 26
At a Glance
James Naish raised concerns about immigration reforms: humanitarian visa routes in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should reconsider income and language requirements for BNO visa holders to ensure they align with the humanitarian nature of the scheme and do not disproportionately impact those already contributing to UK society.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Approximately 200,000 Hongkongers have come to the UK since 2021 and are now working towards indefinite leave to remain after five years. The Home Office's immigration White Paper proposed increasing the standard qualifying period for settlement to 10 years, creating significant uncertainty for Hongkongers. However, recent clarifications exempt BNO visa holders from the earned settlement criteria, retaining a five-year route to ILR. Nevertheless, concerns remain about income and English language requirements that may exclude many eligible applicants.
Andy McDonald
Lab
Middlesbrough and Thornaby East
The Home Secretary’s asylum proposals have prompted widespread criticism from refugee support organisations, raising serious legal, practical, and moral concerns. The proposal to review refugee status every 30 months could trap refugees in limbo, undermining family life and integration. Clarified that seeking asylum is not illegal under the refugee convention.
Clapham and Brixton Hill
The Government’s immigration plans are about making regularised migration rules more stringent rather than tackling illegal immigration. This will cause fear and uncertainty for settled families, especially those from Hong Kong and Ukraine.
Ben Goldsborough
Lab
South Norfolk
Discussed the case of Hongkongers who settled in the UK through the BNO visa scheme and expressed concern about proposed income requirements and English language proficiency standards, which could disproportionately disadvantage BNO families.
Clive Jones
LD
Wokingham
Raises concerns about the higher English proficiency requirement and proposed income thresholds for BNO visa holders, urging the government to maintain current rules.
Connor Rand
Lab
Altrincham and Sale West
Suggested that the small number of BNO visa grants compared to total visa grants should be considered when building a fair but balanced immigration system, emphasizing the importance of security for Hongkongers.
Danny Beales
Lab
Uxbridge and South Ruislip
Welcomed the Government's move but raised concerns about the impact of stringent requirements on ILR applications, student finance access, integration into society, and pension accessibility in Hong Kong.
West Dorset
Paid tribute to communities supporting Ukrainian families and expressed concern about family reunification issues due to visa extensions. Criticised the Government's backlog of asylum cases and proposed reforms.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
People of faith who flee persecution need support and protection, reflecting the best of British values of compassion and justice. Asked for reassurance that people persecuted across the world, including Christians, would be protected under Government policy.
Jo White
Lab
Bassetlaw
The hon. Member agreed that altering rules after relocation contradicts the spirit of the route established by the UK Government and emphasized the trust placed in the government's promise.
Luke Taylor
LD
Sutton and Cheam
Called on the Minister to address three pressing concerns of BNO visa holders: earnings requirement, English language proficiency test, and 20-year route protection for Hong Kong political exiles.
Chelmsford
Concerned about retrospective changes in income and language criteria affecting BNO visa holders, particularly retirees or former students who may struggle with the new requirements.
Mike Tapp
Con
Wyre Forest
Responded to concerns raised by Pippa Heylings regarding BNO visa holders and consultation periods on new mandatory requirements.
Navendu Mishra
Lab
Stockport
More than 200,000 people from Hong Kong have used the BNO visa route. The proposed new requirements would create real hardship for those already working hard to integrate into Britain. He calls for exemptions from the language requirement and contributions rule.
Phil Brickell
Lab
Bolton West
Emphasizes the contributions of Hongkongers in Bolton and expresses concern over proposed changes that could affect vulnerable individuals under the BNO scheme.
South Cambridgeshire
Spoke up for individuals and families from Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Hong Kong who arrived via humanitarian routes fearing changes in rules would undermine the principle of humanitarian protection. Asked about the retrospective application of minimum salary thresholds, tax contribution requirements for family members, and language requirement changes.
Rachael Maskell
Lab/Co-op
York Central
Critiqued the Government’s analysis as political and unacceptable, arguing that their propositions slow down pathways to settlement and threaten the humanitarian corridor connecting the UK with Hong Kong. Inquired about the English requirements and earning requirements for individuals with learning differences.
Sarah Bool
Con
South Northamptonshire
Acknowledged the previous Government’s humanitarian visa route for Ukraine and Hong Kong, highlighting its success in supporting refugees and integrating them. Raised questions about future changes to settlement rules and English language standards.
Sarah Hall
Lab/Co-op
Warrington South
Families feel the goalposts are being moved; raising English language requirement and introducing a mandatory earnings threshold risks shutting out people who have built their lives here in good faith.
Steve Race
Lab
Exeter
Welcomed the Home Secretary’s announcements and noted that there are about 1,000 Hongkongers in Exeter contributing to the local community. Asked how else we might support the Hong Kong community in the UK, including for a special British identity for their newborns born in the UK.
Steve Witherden
Lab
Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr
Critiques the government's approach to asylum seekers and refugees, highlighting the tension between appearing tough on immigration and fostering community cohesion.
Tim Farron
LD
Westmorland and Lonsdale
Highlights the effectiveness of humanitarian visa routes in tackling irregular migration and supports the UK-France deal as a framework to build on. Questions how the agreement is being advertised, what support will be offered for community sponsorship, and whether the Government's decision to stop refugee family reunion will push more women and children into the hands of smugglers.
Tom Tugendhat
Con
Tonbridge
The right hon. Member agreed that the importance of changing the law lies in protecting British citizens from persecution abroad and ensuring their liberty.
Tony Vaughan
Lab
Folkestone and Hythe
My hon. Friend highlighted the need to distinguish between immigration control and encouraging integration for those already in the UK, advocating for non-monetary contributions to be valued.
Warinder Juss
Lab
Wolverhampton West
Hongkongers in the constituency are concerned about changes to ILR requirements, seeking reassurance from the Government.
Streatham
Asked if safe and legal routes have been destroyed except for BNO and Ukrainians.
Will Forster
LD
Woking
There is cross-party concern that the Government seeks to limit and restrict successful humanitarian visa routes for those from Hong Kong and Ukraine. The suspension of the refugee family reunion visa is not acceptable, and new skilled or student visa routes should not be capped in the low hundreds.
Government Response
Mike Tapp
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department
Government Response
Addressed concerns about safe and legal routes, English language requirements, vulnerable groups protection, domestic violence victims' rights, EU settlement scheme continuity, and reaffirmed support for BNO route while emphasizing contribution and fairness values. Discussed the support provided to Ukrainians through various visa schemes and the extension of these programs. Addressed concerns about persecuted individuals, including Christians, stating that issues of faith and persecution are considered within safe and legal routes. Emphasized the need for sustainable humanitarian visa routes in line with UK capacity.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.