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  1. #1
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Get 'Em While You Can

    U.K. Grants Five Passports a Minute to Hongkongers as China Tightens Grip

    By Shawna Kwan
    December 4, 2020, 12:58 PM GMT+7 Updated on December 4, 2020, 3:49 PM GMT+7


    • Surge of Hong Kong residents getting BNO passport in 2020
    • City faces exodus as China clamps down on financial hub


    The U.K. is granting the most special travel documents to Hong Kong residents since the 1997 handover, bolstering predictions of a mass exodus as China tightens its grip over the former British colony.

    Some 216,398 Hong Kong residents received British National (Overseas) passports during the first 10 months of the year, higher than any annual figure stretching back to 1997, according to data provided by the U.K.’s Passport Office under the Freedom of Information Act.

    In October alone, the office issued 59,798 Hongkongers with BNOs, or 52% higher than in the same period last year, and the highest monthly figure since the Passport Office began readily compiling them in 2015. That translates to more than five every minute, based on an average eight-hour working day.

    Sudden Surge

    The numbers, which also include renewals, provide the latest glimpse of the departures Hong Kong faces as this year’s sudden enactment of a national security law — in response to the mass anti-Beijing protests last year — raised concerns about dwindling freedoms in the Asian financial hub.

    The monthly numbers began spiking up in July, when the U.K. upgraded the status of BNO passport holders. They can now stay in Britain for five years and have an easier path toward U.K. citizenship.

    London Calling


    ​China has criticized the U.K.’s move to invite more Hong Kong residents to its borders as an inappropriate interference in the country’s domestic affairs.

    “The U.K. side violated its promises, insisted on going its own way and repeatedly played up the issue of BNO passports,” Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying told a regular news briefing Friday in Beijing. “As the British side violated its commitment first, China will consider not recognizing the BNO passport as a valid travel document and reserves the right to take further measures.”

    Meanwhile, real estate agents in London have been seeing a surge in interest from Hong Kong, with inquiries up almost 80% this year for some agencies.

    There are an estimated 2.9 million Hongkongers eligible for BNOs and as many as 2.3 million of their dependents, according to a U.K. government study. Of those eligible, the U.K. estimates as many as 322,000 will move to the country between 2021-2025.
    The Hong Kong government’s Information Services Department didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

    The BNO identity document is a product of the British colonial era that ended in 1997. It was made to recognize Hong Kong residents of the time as overseas British nationals, but only gave holders the right to visit the country for as long as six months.
    Majestically enthroned amid the vulgar herd

  2. #2
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    There are plenty of mainlanders eager to replace each Hong Konger that leaves the city. However bad things get in HK politically, there's still a lot more freedom and openness than in mainland China.

  3. #3
    Thailand Expat harrybarracuda's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by TTraveler View Post
    There are plenty of mainlanders eager to replace each Hong Konger that leaves the city. However bad things get in HK politically, there's still a lot more freedom and openness than in mainland China.
    Yes, lots of good little Mr. Shithole drones to show the HKers how to be a good little Mr. Shithole drone.

    Just what the people of Hong Kong want.


  4. #4
    En route
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    They hate them.

  5. #5
    Thailand Expat
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    Well, watch with bated breath- while the mass exodus from HK fails to originate. As for getting a second passport if you can- why not?

  6. #6
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    If passports from UK, Canada, or USA were all an option, but people could only choose one, which embassy/consulate would have the longest line?

  7. #7
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    As for getting a second passport if you can- why not?
    Just got a Canadian passport. Very nice. Not a stamp in it. Two reasons I got it.
    Believe in future will be better than US passport for travel.
    The Canadian counsulet here issues income verification for Thai immigration use.

  8. #8
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Norton View Post
    Just got a Canadian passport.
    ...requirements?...

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by tomcat View Post
    .requirements?
    You must be born in towns named after animal parts, in provinces foreigners can't pronounce.

  10. #10
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    In Victoria island, you must speak cantonese.

  11. #11
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by pickel View Post
    You must be born in towns named after animal parts, in provinces foreigners can't pronounce.


    Ya cheeky bastard!

    Yes TC, Pickle has the answer. Must have a Canadian birth Certificate which I have being born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.

  12. #12
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Norton View Post
    Must have a Canadian birth Certificate which I have being born in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada.
    ...my brother-in-law was born in Machoire d'Orignal, Quebec...I wonder if I could qualify...

  13. #13
    Elite Mumbler
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    In Victoria island, you must speak cantonese.
    Do you mean Victoria on Vancouver Island? More Cantonese speakers in Vancouver than on the island.

  14. #14
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    Quote Originally Posted by tomcat View Post
    my brother-in-law was born in Machoire d'Orignal, Quebec...I wonder if I could qualify...
    That would be determined by how you pronounce Quebec.

  15. #15
    Thailand Expat tomcat's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by pickel View Post
    That would be determined by how you pronounce Quebec.
    ...[moos jau]...

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by TTraveler View Post
    There are plenty of mainlanders eager to replace each Hong Konger that leaves the city.
    Except hat's not how it works . . . and what are 'they' replacing?



    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    Well, watch with bated breath- while the mass exodus from HK fails to originate.
    Yea . . . close to 1/4 million people in ten months - in the pandemic year. That's a percentage to take seriously - the intent is there to leave, why deny it.

    Things will only get worse in HK and people will leave. Why wouldn't they. An HK family just bought a house down our street . . . they were quite candid as to why they left HK - no future for them but even less for their kids) early teens.

  17. #17
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Norton View Post
    Must have a Canadian birth Certificate
    There is also this route:

    One can become a Canadian citizen if one has;

    Get 'Em While You Can-css-png


    and/or

    Get 'Em While You Can-cccard-png



    After 5 years of landed immigrant status.

    Along with the ability of understanding the Canadian political system, the ability to answer correctly questions regarding Canada such as;

    Who is it's Monarch:

    Get 'Em While You Can-li-thronespeech-cp-620-3655-jpg


    What is Prince Edward Island famous for:

    Get 'Em While You Can-pep-jpg

    Name the local ice hockey team:

    Get 'Em While You Can-ccc-jpg

    and course stumble through:

    <span class="ILfuVd NA6bn c3biWd"><span class="hgKElc">
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Get 'Em While You Can-sin_card-jpg  
    Last edited by OhOh; 07-12-2020 at 12:23 PM.
    A tray full of GOLD is not worth a moment in time.

  18. #18
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    Quote Originally Posted by OhOh View Post
    There is also this route:
    Is that how you got your Canadian citizenship?

  19. #19
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by tomcat View Post
    ...[moos jau]...
    Close enough. I will sa...ponsor you.

  20. #20
    กงเกวียนกำเกวียน HuangLao's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Norton View Post
    Close enough. I will sa...ponsor you.
    Identity sponsor?

  21. #21
    Thailand Expat OhOh's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by panama hat View Post
    your Canadian citizenship
    Yes, myself and my then wife.

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by OhOh View Post
    Yes, myself and my then wife.
    Well done on gaining Canadian citizenship.

  23. #23
    Thailand Expat
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    That's a percentage to take seriously - the intent is there to leave, why deny it.
    Because the majority of them will not leave- wait and see.

  24. #24
    Thailand Expat
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    Quote Originally Posted by sabang View Post
    Because the majority of them will not leave- wait and see.
    No-one said the majority would leave - those who have something to lose will. The educated, financially able and those who don't want to live under a dictatorship.

    250.000 of 7+ million in ten months . . .

  25. #25
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    those who don't want to live under a dictatorship.
    That will get you a nice laugh at the FCC bar. Best bar in Asia btw.

    The current largest destination for emigre's from HK is..... China.

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