henry
In stark contrast to my directness exhibited towards certain groups, I find myself compelled to tread with caution and select my words with deliberate care when composing this article; these particular groups encompass individuals who have recently arrived in a foreign land, harbouring aspirations to establish their own dominions and consolidate power, yet they remain oblivious to the necessity of forging alliances and assisting one another amidst their struggles for power. What I am endeavouring to explore within the confines of this article, however, is a profound enigma that has persisted in my mind for over three years.
Approximately a year and a half prior to the publication of the White Paper, an astute assistant to a Hong Kong tycoon imparted a significant piece of information during a dinner engagement: “In relation to the BNO visa, one must acknowledge that the British government possesses pertinent data, correct? It appears that merely 30% of individuals applying for the BNO visa are actual holders of BNO status. Moreover, are you aware of the proportion of the remaining 70% who are, in fact, mainland Chinese?”
Although I do not position myself as a politician and regard this data as merely indicative rather than verifiable, I found myself at a loss in response to the aforementioned inquiry. The tycoon’s assistant further elaborated, stating, “The BNO visa will inevitably be phased out. If one seeks to maintain access to the BNO visa pathway, one must consider whether Britain seeks to assess your economic viability; observe the numerous individuals who are currently applying for benefits and subsisting on minimum wage. Is there truly a humanitarian imperative at play? You traverse to Hong Kong incessantly; does this not raise questions regarding the legitimacy of the humanitarian rationale? What Britain ultimately desires to witness is your unwavering loyalty, do you not grasp this?”
In the course of addressing a personal matter two years prior, a local criminal lawyer, previously associated with a former client, revealed that certain organisations specialise in instructing individuals on how to apply for government benefits by falsely alleging domestic violence and initiating divorce proceedings. For a family lawyer, such a situation may indeed be advantageous, as it precludes the possibility of reconciliation, which in turn invariably leads to heightened legal fees. Throughout the past two or three years, I have shared insights regarding the peculiarities of managing divorce cases in the UK during various YouTube discussions, and it is evident that I have dealt with a multitude of divorce cases.
In these divorce proceedings, every male client who approached me recounted an eerily similar narrative; it was as though a singular script had been recited, albeit articulated through diverse voices, distinct WhatsApp profile images, and an array of names. The commonalities among these cases are as follows: a) the individual possesses a BNO visa; b) the spouse is neither a Hong Konger nor possesses BNO status; c) initially, the spouse lacked legal representation yet subsequently managed to compose a series of persuasive texts; d) the spouse reported incidents of domestic violence to law enforcement; e) the children were taken away overnight; and f) social workers intervened, facilitating welfare applications that exempted the restrictions imposed by the BNO visa regarding public economic assistance. Even in instances where they do not seek benefits, they are entitled to legal aid as purported victims of domestic violence, engaging in protracted litigation against their husbands.
Previously, an individual mentioned on Xiaohongshu that as long as one is a victim of domestic violence, they may obtain permanent residency more expediently. However, the immigration regulations cited on Xiaohongshu pertain to refugees, not to BNO visas, leaving me uncertain as to whether, as another local lawyer suggested, there might be ulterior motives at play in these situations.
I hesitate to conjecture excessively, recognising that each family grapples with its unique challenges, and familial matters can unfold in a manner reminiscent of television dramas, with events ebbing and flowing in a cyclical fashion. Yet, over the past three years, the recurrence of these cases has engendered a sense of helplessness as I listen to my clients weeping over the telephone.
I have always maintained that clarity breeds understanding; nevertheless, the aforementioned uncertainties compel me to ponder: Is this mere coincidence, or is there a deeper, more complex reality at work?
It is my hope that readers may possess the discernment to distinguish truth from falsehood and engage in careful reflection.
Disclaimer: This article solely represents the personal views of the author and does not constitute legal advice. The cases referenced herein are presented as general descriptions and are not intended to target any specific case. Readers are encouraged to seek professional legal counsel tailored to their individual circumstances.
Chinese version:BNO簽證落閘倒數? 富豪助手的警告與離婚案件的疑雲
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Henry Wong qualified as a solicitor in Hong Kong, England and Wales, Ireland and Scotland respective in 2014, 2018, 2024 and 2025. Henry is fluent in Cantonese, Mandarin, English, and Japanese, and he specialises in a broad range of legal matters, including family law (possessing significant experience in divorce, assets division, and child arrangements), criminal litigation, civil litigation, and international law, with a focus on human rights and criminal law. He additionally manages various immigration-related matters, encompassing refugee applications, settlement and naturalisation applications, work visa applications, and actively conducts BNO settlement and naturalisation seminars in the UK to provide professional information to communities in need.
Henry Wong is dedicated to public welfare and community affairs. He is currently the founder of Hong Kong Professionals CIC (hkpcic.org.uk) and Descendants of Victoria City (dovc.co.uk), where he actively participates in community building and consistently advocates for various human rights issues.
At present, Henry serves as a consultant solicitor for David Fenn & Co. in Hong Kong and Perilli & Ho Solicitors in London. He is also a legal link partner with Jones Whyte Solicitors in Scotland. His practice area is extensive, encompassing the sale and purchase of residential and commercial properties in both Hong Kong and the United Kingdom, immigration matters, various civil and criminal litigation cases, commercial and contractual matters, family disputes, wills and estate administration, as well as human rights law.
Outside of his professional commitments, Henry Wong enjoys sports and is a goalkeeper for an amateur football team. He also possesses a passion for wine, possesses a deep understanding of various types of alcoholic beverages, and is skilled in making cocktail.
黃律師於2014年成為香港執業律師，2018年取得英格蘭及威爾斯執業律師資格，2024年取得愛爾蘭註冊律師資格，並於2025年獲得蘇格蘭律師資格。黃律師精通廣東話、普通話、英語及日語，擅長處理多項法律事務，包括家事法（尤其於離婚、財產分配及子女撫養權安排方面經驗豐富）、刑事訴訟、民事訴訟，以及國際法（專注於人權及刑事領域）。此外，黃律師亦處理各類移民相關事宜，包括難民申請、定居及入籍申請、工作簽證申請等，並積極於英國舉辦BNO定居及入籍講座，為有需要的社群提供專業資訊。
黃律師熱心公益及地區事務，現為 Hong Kong Professionals CIC (hkpcic.org.uk) 及 Descendants of Victoria City (dovc.co.uk) 的創辦人，積極參與社區建設，並對不同人權議題持續發聲。
目前，黃律師擔任香港 David Fenn and Co. 律師行及英國 Perilli & Ho Solicitors 律師行的顧問律師，同時也是蘇格蘭 Jones Whyte Solicitors 的合作夥伴。其執業範圍廣泛，涵蓋香港及英國住宅及商業物業買賣、移民入境事務、各類民事及刑事訴訟、商業及合約事宜、家庭糾紛、遺囑及遺產處理，以及人權法等。
工作之餘，黃律師熱愛運動，擔任業餘足球隊的守門員。同時，他也對品酒情有獨鍾，對各類酒品均有深入研究，更擅長調製各式雞尾酒。
