China has said it will no longer recognize the British National Overseas passport as a valid travel and identity document. The annoucement comes ahead of a new visa program introduced by the UK in response to the National Security Law passed in Hong Kong last year.

So who can apply and what will they have to do in order to settle in the UK?

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Hong Kong residents who already have BN(O) citizenship. This type of British nationality, which gave holders no special rights other than the ability to visit the UK for six months without a visa, was introduced in 1987. It allowed people in the region to retain a link with the UK after the former colony returned to China in 1997, although the status could not be handed down to family members.

Applicants must be able to demonstrate their ability to accommodate and support themselves in the UK for at least six months, demonstrate a commitment to learn English where appropriate, hold a current tuberculosis test certificate, and have no serious criminal convictions.

Existing BN(O) passport holders and their eligible family members can now come to the UK to live, study and work. After five years in the UK visa holders can apply for settlement, followed by British citizenship after a further 12 months.

Can people move their dependents who are non-BN(O) passport holders?

Family members who normally live with BN(O) passport holders can apply, including their spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner, children under 18, and adult children born after 1 July 1997 (plus their spouse, or child under the age of 18). In exceptional circumstances other family members with a high level of dependency can apply.

How do BN(O) residents apply?

Applicants with biometric BN(O) passports can apply from home using a smartphone app to scan their passport. Otherwise they must visit a visa application center in person.

How much does a visa cost?

The 5-year visa option costs $388 per person. Thirty-month visas cost $243 per person.

How many people have the visas already?

In the six months leading up to January 13, approximately 7,000 BN(O) status holders and their dependents had been granted Leave Outside the Rules, or an exemption from normal restrictions, at the UK border.

There are currently around 300,000 BN(O) passport holders in Hong Kong and it is thought a further 2.5 to 2.7 million people are eligible to apply for one. 

China will not recognize BNO passports as a valid travel and ID document, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on Friday. 

"From January 31, China will no longer recognize the so-called BNO passport as a travel document and ID document, and reserve the right to take further actions," foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian told reporters.