Quilter International: Nearly half a million people issued British National Overseas passports

HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach - 10 September 2021 - New data gathered by Quilter International shows that close to half a million British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) passports were issued to Hong Kong residents in 2019 and 2020.

Quilter International's adviser survey indicated that UK is one of the top three countries the clients plan to migrate to.

A Freedom of Information request issued to HM Passport Office found that a total of 463,116 (BN(O)) passports were approved for issue compared to 68,914 in total during the three preceding years. The number of passports peaked in autumn and winter 2020 with an average of 50,000 BN(O) passports issued each month.

BN(O) status is a type of British nationality created in 1985 that people in Hong Kong could register for before the 1997 handover to China to retain a link with the UK, but the status does not include right to live or work in the UK. On 31 January 2021, the UK government however opened a new route for BN(O) passport holders and family members to apply for a BN(O) visa which allows the holder to live, work and study in the UK and ultimately provides a route to gaining full British citizenship. This has seen 64,900 BN(O) visas applied for during the first two quarters of this year according to the National Statistics from UK Home Office.

These statistics are consistent with the results of a recent survey Quilter International conducted which found that 75% of Hong Kong financial advisers interviewed say they have received more queries from clients related to offshore investing and relocating in the last 12 months.

The top three countries the clients plan to migrate to are the UK (91.7%), Canada (50%) and Australia (41.7%).

The surge in the number of people renewing or applying for BN(O) passports and more recently applying for BN(O) visas has resulted in an increase in people seeking financial planning advice specifically related to an imminent move to the UK. However, the UK uses a different tax year and the statutory residence test which can both cause issues because many are unaware that financial planning should start at least one year before arriving in the UK.

Mark Christal, Hong Kong CEO, Quilter International says:

"Over the past two years, nearly half a million Hongkongers have decided to renew or apply for a BN(O) passport or more recently apply for a BN(O) visa with the hope of moving to the UK.

"For anyone thinking of leaving Hong Kong, it is important to plan ahead especially as the UK is a vastly complex and much higher tax jurisdiction. Careful financial planning is a must to help mitigate significant tax liabilities that also includes wealth held across the world. For example, the UK's highest income tax band rate is 45%, capital gains on residential property are taxed at 28% and for other chargeable assets is 20%. The UK also uses a different tax year and statutory residence test which can both cause issues unless financial planning should start at least one year before arriving in the UK.

"There are planning opportunities to potentially mitigate tax exposure such as holding wealth within a recognised insurance policy, but a comprehensive wealth planning process including implementation of agreed plans take time and therefore it is worth starting discussions with a financial adviser sooner rather than later."

About Quilter International and Quilter plc

Quilter International is one of the leading cross-border provider of wealth management solutions and part of Quilter plc.

Quilter plc is one of the leading wealth management business in the UK and internationally, helping to create prosperity for the generations of today and tomorrow.

Quilter plc oversees £126.6 billion in customer investments (as at 30 June 2021).

It has an adviser and customer offering spanning financial advice, investment platforms, multi-asset investment solutions and discretionary fund management.

The business is comprised of two segments: Advice and Wealth Management and Wealth Platforms.

Advice and Wealth Management encompasses the financial planning businesses (Quilter Private Client Advisers, Quilter Financial Planning and Quilter Financial Advisers), the discretionary fund management business (Quilter Cheviot) and the Multi-asset investment solutions business (Quilter Investors).

Wealth Platforms includes the Quilter investment platform and Quilter International, including AAM Advisory in Singapore.

This press release is for journalists only and should not be relied upon by financial advisers or customers.

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This communication is issued by Quilter plc. This communication is issued by Quilter plc. Registered office: Senator House, 85 Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4V 4AB, United Kingdom. Registered number: 6404270. Registered in England.