General Election: Voting Information for Hong Kong Migrants

Hong Kong migrants who have settled in the UK under the British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) visa scheme can vote in UK elections if they meet certain criteria. To be eligible to vote in UK general elections, local elections, and referendums, they must:

1. Be a Commonwealth Citizen: BN(O) status qualifies them as Commonwealth citizens.
2. Be aged 18 or over on the day of the election.
3. Be a resident at an address in the UK and meet the residency requirements.
4. Be registered to vote. They must complete voter registration, which can be done online or via a paper form.

Assuming Hong Kong migrants under the BN(O) scheme fulfil these criteria, they can participate in the electoral process in the UK.

How to register to vote

Hong Kong migrants in the UK, including those under the BN(O) visa scheme, can register to vote in the UK General Election by following these steps:

1. National Insurance Number: Have your National Insurance number ready, as it is typically required during registration. If you don’t have one, you can still register but might be asked to provide more evidence of your identity.
2. Go Online: Visit the UK government’s voter registration website at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
3. Fill in Your Details: Complete the online form with your personal details, including your name, address, date of birth, and nationality.
4. Submit the Form: Once you have completed the form, submit it online. You will receive confirmation that your application has been received.
5. Paper Registration: If you prefer or need to register by post, you can download a voter registration form from the same website, fill it out, and send it to your local Electoral Registration Office. You can find the address of your local office on the Electoral Commission website.
6. Registration Deadline: Ensure you register before the deadline, which is usually 12 working days before an election. However, it is advisable to register as early as possible.

After registration, you will receive a confirmation letter from your local Electoral Registration Office. They will contact you directly if there are any issues or if additional information is needed. Once registered, you will be eligible to vote in UK General Elections, local elections, and referendums.

Registration deadline

Register to vote in UK elections if you’ve never registered before, have moved house or have changed your name. The deadline to register to vote in the Parliamentary general election on Thursday 4 July is Tuesday 18 June.

For more information, please visit: Voting and elections | Electoral Commission