Farage's UK Reforms Spark Panic: Hong Kong BNO Holders Face Escalating Anxiety and 'Third Migration'

The Reform UK Party’s sudden proposal to scrap "permanent residency" has sent shockwaves through the BNO Hong Kong community. They were just a few years away from securing this status, which promised welfare benefits and freedom of movement. Now, what they thought was the light at the end of the tunnel suddenly looks like a tunnel with no end—a truly miserable prospect.

A commentator with “yellow” background tried to downplay the situation, suggesting Nigel Farage is just grandstanding and that the Reform UK Party's chances of taking power are slim. But even he had to concede that some Hong Kong people in the UK are deeply anxious, with some even mulling a "third migration." Looking back at a survey from a few months ago, it's clear anxiety among these migrants was already common, with some even hitting the "severe" red line. This latest "Farage scare" is only going to pour fuel on the fire.

Fugitive Chung Kim-wah: Panicked Hong Kong BNO holders in the UK are now considering a 'third migration'.

A Fugitive's Take

Chung Kim-wah, a fugitive wanted in Hong Kong and now living in the UK, weighed in on the Reform UK Party's "immigration policy" yesterday. He claimed Farage is simply posturing to grab headlines and rally support, and he doesn't see the party taking power anytime soon, telling Hong Kong people in the UK not to worry too much. While his words were clearly meant to soothe the community's nerves and prevent panic, he couldn't deny the reality on the ground. He admitted that among his own friends in the UK, some are deeply worried and feel lost about what the future holds.

He revealed that shortly after Farage's press conference, he received three messages from people expressing grave concerns. One person, who had been in the UK for less than a year, had previously moved to Taiwan with his family. They had tried for investment immigration but, after several years, were still denied permanent residency in Taiwan, prompting a second migration to the UK on a BNO visa. This individual confessed that the Reform UK Party's proposal has them genuinely worried this time. They asked Chung Kim-wah if they should start making new plans, even floating the idea of a third migration.

Nowhere Left To Go?

This particular migrant in the UK also lamented feeling like they have "nowhere left to go" and feared being treated as a second-class citizen no matter where they end up. In his article, Chung admitted that it was only after this call that he realized just how on edge Hong Kong migrants in the UK have become.

Despite Chung Kim-wah's repeated attempts to tell people not to overthink it, the panic among these Hong Kong people is completely understandable, and the Reform UK Party's chances of gaining power shouldn't be underestimated. Even Chung himself noted in his article that during recent local council elections in parts of England, the Reform UK Party saw a significant increase in its seats, gaining control of 11 councils. Some of his Hong Kong friends are now so convinced the party could take power soon that they're considering a move from England to Scotland.

The Panic is Real

To say he is just now realizing how on edge Hong Kong people in the UK have become is to be far behind the curve. Months ago, when the Conservative Party released its "immigration white paper" suggesting a 10-year residency requirement for permanent residency, a collective "panic attack" had already swept through the community. A petition demanding a parliamentary debate was launched and quickly amassed over 100,000 signatures, laying bare their state of alarm.

I looked at a survey from last July that interviewed over 600 Hong Kong people who had moved to the UK. It revealed their average "anxiety score" was 13.4, higher than the normal level of 12, indicating a widespread state of "anxiety and unease." Some individuals even scored as high as 18.3, dangerously close to the red line for "severe anxiety."

Anxiety Red Line: Surveys show Farage's proposals are pushing Hong Kong migrants' unease to 'severe' levels.

An Escalating Crisis

On top of that, the UK government recently commissioned the research agency Verian to interview a group of Hong Kong people aged 35 to 44. The findings showed that some are worried about the "5+1" pathway being extended to "10+1" and other potential shifts in government policy.

These surveys make it crystal clear: many Hong Kong people in the UK were already struggling with unease. After the scare from the "10+1" proposal and now this new shock from Farage, their anxiety is bound to skyrocket. A friend living in the UK told me that the psychological counseling services at local community centers are completely overwhelmed and bustling with people—a telling sign of the times.

My friends and I believe that Hong Kong people who are so deeply worried about their future should seriously consider another option: returning to Hong Kong to begin a new chapter in their lives.

What Say You?

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Elon Musk saw this coming. Right before Trump took office again, he clashed hard with the "MAGA crowd" over whether to tighten H-1B visas for tech workers, openly saying America desperately needs these experts. Musk feared Trump would overdo it and slam the door shut, so he sounded the alarm early.

Sadly, that warning proved true. Just last Sunday, the U.S. government announced a staggering jump in H-1B visa fees—from a baseline of $1,700 to a whopping $100,000 (about HK$780,000). It’s essentially a stealth ban designed to scare off foreign tech talent. While this only applies to new visas, foreign tech workers already in the U.S. are rattled, worried Trump's crackdown could sweep them away at any time.

A scholar friend of mine who’s lived in the States for years told me this shutdown could actually benefit Mainland China and Hong Kong by absorbing tech talent—and that Chief Executive John Lee should strike while the iron’s hot.

Why the U.S. Needs Foreign Tech Talent

Musk was dead set against limiting H-1B visas because the U.S. just doesn’t have enough homegrown tech talent. Big tech firms lean heavily on these "foreign reinforcements" — it’s vital to their business and growth. His Indian-American partner, Vivek Ramaswamy, pointed out that America has long celebrated mediocrity over excellence, which is why the country now depends so much on foreign tech workers. A heavy clampdown on these visas would be “mutually assured destruction” with serious fallout.

The loud, aggressive "MAGA camp", however, pummeled Musk and others’ views and pushed Trump toward this harsh decision. The end result? The government slammed the H-1B visa fees through, effectively shutting the door on foreign tech talent.

Trump’s visa hike scares off tech talent, stalling U.S. innovation.

Panic and Chaos Hit Tech Firms

The administration’s vague, last-minute change—announced early Monday—threw U.S. tech companies into turmoil. Firms pleaded with foreign staff to stay put, and those abroad raced home before the cutoff. Some even abandoned flights in mid-air, creating a “Dunkirk”–style exodus.

Such chaos left U.S. authorities scrambling to clarify that the fee hike only applies to new visas, doesn’t affect current visa holders, and is a one-time fee, not annual, hoping to ease the panic. But for many tech workers already in the U.S., trust has been shaken—they’re unsure when or if more changes could come and are already making backup plans.

Innovation Takes a Hit

Even if current workers are safe, this huge fee hike will definitely scare off foreign talents thinking of coming to the U.S., hitting tech firms hard.

A venture capitalist partner said this will weaken America’s ability to attract world-class talent, limiting innovation and economic growth. Industry insiders warn some companies might outsource jobs abroad, further diminishing the U.S.’s status as a global tech leader.

This new U.S. policy doesn’t just hit tech workers—it also shakes the confidence of Mainland and Hong Kong students thinking about studying in America. A recent Canadian education survey showed the U.S. has fallen to third place as the most attractive study destination for foreign students, behind the UK first and Canada second. When it comes to openness, safety, and welcoming attitudes, the U.S. dropped to sixth place, dead last in the ranking.

Clearly America’s appeal to international students is fading fast. The new visa fees only add to doubts about future job prospects, meaning fewer students will pick the U.S. anymore.

John Lee’s chance: Hong Kong’s moment to snatch top talent.

Hong Kong Stands to Gain

Trump seems unfazed by these downsides and looks set to keep pushing ahead recklessly. My scholar friend argues this is a huge win for Mainland China and Hong Kong, which are hungry for tech talent. Some who can’t stomach going to the U.S. anymore might head there instead, and unsettled tech workers already in the States could decide to come home. Chief Executive John Lee announced in his policy address a series of measures to attract foreign talent, and my friend thinks this is the perfect moment for Hong Kong to compete—and win.

Like I said before, Hong Kong’s entering a golden era and keeps getting better. With America shooting itself in the foot, now’s the perfect time for Hong Kong to steal the spotlight and attract top talent.

Lai Ting-yiu