To leave or not to leave? This question is going through the minds of many British National Overseas passport holders in Hong Kong as the city confronts an unprecedented challenge that presents many of its residents with life-changing decisions.

The British Consulate in Hong Kong has been accepting applications for BN(O) visas since Jan 31. Those who have secured the visa will be able to apply for settlement after five years, followed by British citizenship after a further 12 months.

Out of 2.9 million BN(O) passport status holders, the UK government estimated that about 300,000 of them might take up this offer in the first five years. This number seems low. What is the catch?

As a native Hongkonger who once studied and worked in the UK but is now settled in an academic career in the US, some friends asked me if life would be better in the UK. Putting political considerations aside, it troubles me to come up with a helpful answer, not just because Hong Kong is my root, but also because of the enormous economic uncertainty even the British citizens themselves are now facing in the aftermath of Brexit. In fact, the exodus of international companies and talent from London has begun. Clearly, very gloomy prospects await any new immigrants to Blighty.

In my mind, there is no perfect job, perfect country, or perfect life. However, by setting the right priorities and reasonable expectations, you can feel more content with your life no matter where you live.

While most Britons are polite and well-mannered, they can also be jingoistic in their interactions with immigrants. In many instances, one cannot help but notice the subtle differential treatments being meted out to non-white customers by, for example, being assigned less attractive tables in the back or near the toilet of restaurants

To immigrate or stay put is clearly a personal choice to be guided by what one holds dear. But I would like to point out the following factors that might help readers to make informed decisions. 

First, BN(O) visa holders will be viewed as immigrants: The UK is not your country and it may never be your country. This is despite UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s reassuring words: “I am immensely proud that we have brought in this new route for Hong Kong BN(O)s to live, work and make their home in our country”. 

Second, BN(O) visa holders will be viewed as a minority ethnic group in the UK. They may have to be mentally prepared to be on the receiving end of some racial slurs. But to be fair, we must be mindful that many Hongkongers refer to Westerners as “Gweilo”, or “ghost-man” if literally translated, even though we may utter it without real malice. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Asians of Chinese descent have been attacked because of the spread of the coronavirus in the UK, the US and Europe. Some Singaporeans have also suffered collaterally having been mistaken as Chinese.

While most Britons are polite and well-mannered, they can also be jingoistic in their interactions with immigrants. In many instances, one cannot help but notice the subtle differential treatments being meted out to non-white customers by, for example, being assigned less attractive tables in the back or near the toilet of restaurants.

Third, few commoners in the UK would know enough about the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration to have any empathy toward BN(O) visa holders. The opium wars, which devastated imperial China, are euphemistically and erroneously referred to as “trade wars” in the UK, and few Britons would know about how the unequal Treaty of Nanjing forced imperial China to cede Hong Kong Island to Britain.

Fourth, the Brexit vote in 2016 revealed that the “leavers” are more jingoistic and hence favor restoring Britishness in the UK. Furthermore, the Brexit aftermath chaos and the COVID-19 pandemic have jointly created unprecedented economic doldrums with massive job losses and business closures in the UK. The Office for Budget Responsibility estimated that unemployment will peak at about 7.5 percent in the middle of 2021. If Britons are already having difficulties finding employment, just imagine how much more challenging it would be for new immigrants to land jobs commensurate with their education and work experience.

Fifth, unlike the efficient public transportation in Hong Kong, the UK counterpart is showing its age and inefficiency. Commuting in London for work can be frustrating and most certainly would cost more than in Hong Kong.

What are the upsides of living in the UK?

Unlike Hong Kong that is jampacked with people almost everywhere, the UK offers more personal space. And it’s more affordable if one lives outside London. Also, the pace of life is slower, more relaxing and less hurried. In Hong Kong, people press the close door button immediately upon entering the lift. In contrast, many lifts in the UK do not even have buttons to close doors. 

Another big plus is that the UK offers much more cultural enjoyment options. For history and art lovers, the UK is heavenly because all UK national museums and art galleries offer free admission with only suggested donations. Also, all public parks are beautifully landscaped with flowers, evergreens and nice benches, not to mention ponds with ducks, geese, and birds!

The UK has a more holistic education system that allows students to exercise their creativity, explore and participate in experiential learning instead of forcing students to constantly cram for exams.

In terms of food, the UK has expanded its once monotonous fish and chips menu to a smorgasbord of ethnic foods created by new immigrants enough to challenge Hong Kong’s reputation as the food capital of the world.

The UK offers a better work-life balance with less stress so that people can leave work at decent hours allowing for more family time. At the end of the day, there is really no “right” decision for BN(O) passport holders as they struggle to decide whether to uproot themselves for what might be “greener” pastures in Blighty. Because they must base their decision on how much weight they put in different aspects of their lives.

The author is a University Distinguished Professor and Edward W. Carter chair in business administration at the UCLA Anderson School of Management.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.