Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Wu Chi-wai has received official approval to stay in the United Kingdom as a visitor for six months, according to his legal representative. Paul Harris, who represents Wu, confirmed on Tuesday that immigration authorities issued a letter granting the extension, allowing the former chairman of Hong Kong’s once-prominent pro-democracy party to remain in the country where his family currently resides.
The decision by the British Home Office follows significant public concern from rights groups and members of the Hong Kong community both in the territory and in the U.K. These groups had voiced alarm after Wu was initially granted only seven days of immigration bail upon his arrival last week. The Home Office confirmed on Monday that the activist would not be removed from the country on the previously expected Wednesday deadline.
Wu, who recently spent more than five years in a Hong Kong prison, was one of 47 activists charged in 2021 under a Beijing-imposed national security law aimed at curbing the city’s democracy movement. In 2024, he was sentenced to four years and five months in prison for conspiracy to commit subversion, a charge stemming from his involvement in an unofficial primary election. The British authorities' decision came after Wu s entry on a seven-day immigration bail last week raised widespread concerns from rights groups and Hong Kongers living in the U.K. Wu declined to comment.
Prior to the resolution of his immigration status, Wu expressed concern during an interview on Sunday that he might be forced to leave by Wednesday. He had feared that border authorities suspected him of seeking long-term residency beyond his stated intent to visit, which he worried would jeopardize his opportunity to spend time with his family after years of separation. He also expressed concern that a negative immigration record could complicate his future attempts to visit relatives in the U.K. Wu has declined to provide further comment following the update.
