Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department has (a) made an assessment of the barriers faced by Hong Kong BNO visa holders in transferring professional qualifications into the British labour market and (b) issued guidance to employers on the employment rights of Hong Kong BNO visa holders.

Many British National Overseas (BNO) visa holders have professional qualifications. Recognition of overseas qualifications is determined by independent occupational regulators, many of which accept Hong Kong qualifications.

The recognition process can be challenging for BNO visa holders and refugees. The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) developed the Regulated Professions Register, which Hongkongers can use to find information on entry requirements and regulators. DBT also published guidance on GOV.UK to support refugees, including those from Hong Kong, navigate the recognition process.

BNO visa holders have the right to work in the UK, and employer guidance on right to work checks is available on GOV.UK.