The UK government has widened the requirements for its Hong Kong visa program. Adult children of British National (Overseas) status holders who were born on or after the 1997 handover to China can now apply on their own, along with their partners and children.

Officials estimate this change will allow a further 26,000 people to move to the UK over the next five years. The decision follows the imprisonment of media tycoon Jimmy Lai and fixes a gap in the rules that previously caused unfair splits within families. The government says it will keep its long-standing promise to support the people of Hong Kong.