TNAG-1571-FCO40-2137-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 88

DSR 11C

to British nationality for Hong Kong residents with money.

This type of immigration could. come

to invest here.

under two different categories within the

Rules: "Independent Means" or "Businessmen"

Immigration

means

For

an application to succeed under the independent

provision, а person must show that he has capital

of at least £150,000 or an annual income of not less than

able to maintain and

£15,000, and that he will be

accommodate himself and

any dependants indefinitely

without working, with no assistance

persons and without recourse

addition he also needs to demonstrate either a close

connection with the UK or that his admission

from any other

to public funds.

In

is

in the

general interests

of the UK.

admission of persons of

The provisions for the

independent

means have not

changed

significantly for a number of years and all

applications are considered equally on their merits.

admitted under

As regards the subsequent acquisition of British

nationality by people admitted as persons of independent

means, there

is a clear rule. Any person

provision must stay here for four

years before

qualifying for "settlement". Once settled here a person

can apply for naturalisation as a British citizen under

the British Nationality Act 1981.

The Home Office

this

usually disregards short absences abroad on holiday but

they have never been prepared to grant settlement if the

applicant has

spent only short

periods here.

To the