Leading Immigration Lawyers With Over 25,000 Applications Approved. | See our client success stories
+44 (0)333 414 9244 Mon - Sun, 8.30am - 6pm
Contact Us

British National Overseas (BNO) Visa

An immigration route for Hong Kong nationals with British National Overseas status.

If you are a British Overseas citizen living in Hong Kong, then you could be eligible. Find out more today by calling our team of expert immigration lawyers on +44 (0)333 414 9244.

Read our 1001 reviews

Request a call back from our immigration experts

    Benefits of Choosing IAS’ Immigration Lawyers

    At IAS, we understand that every case and client is unique, so we provide bespoke assessment and support to each client. With us, you get a dedicated immigration lawyer who is dedicated to ensuring your application is successful. Enjoy the following benefits with IAS:

    Compassionate support from an experienced immigration lawyer dedicated to your success

    Support in gathering supporting documents and completing a high-quality application.

    A personalised Letter of Representation to help compile a compelling case for approval

    Continued support from your lawyer in the event of any complications.

    Regardless of what your personal immigration query might be, IAS is here to help and support you. Call us or enquire online to learn more about how we can help you.

    Services we Provide

    BNO Visa Guide for Hong Kong Nationals

    The Hong Kong British National (Overseas) Visa is a UK visa route that opened in 2021. The new path is available for all British national living overseas. The visa route allows British National Overseas citizens in Hong Kong to come to live, study or work in the UK. Successful applicants can also bring certain family members with them to the UK.

    You can either apply for a 2 year and 6 months BNO Visa or a five year visa. The visa also acts as a route to settlement for overseas nationals in Hong Kong. After 5 years of lawful residence in the UK BNO visa holders will be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. It also acts as a route to British citizenship, which can be applied for after holding ILR for at least 12 months.

    Applications can be made from both within the UK and outside of the UK.

    Who is Eligible for a BNO visa?

    All Hong Kong British National Overseas citizens who are over the age of 18 are able to apply for this visa route.

    British National Overseas (BNO) citizenship is a type of British nationality that was created by the UK government in 1985 that people in Hong Kong could apply for before the 1997 handover to China, this was to enable them to retain a link with the UK. The status cannot be passed down to family members and prior to the launch of the new BNO Visa means that Hong Kong BNO citizens could only visit the UK for up to 6 months without a visa.

    There are around 2.9 million people who have British National Overseas citizenship in Hong Kong who can be eligible for the visa and their family members can also be eligible to join them.

    It’s worth noting that to be able to apply, your permanent home must either be in Hong Kong, if you’re applying from outside the UK, or in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Hong Kong if you’re applying whilst in the UK.

    Applications officially opened in January 2021. You do not need a valid BNO passport to apply. However, if you already hold one (including expired documents) you can submit it along with your bundle of supporting documents.

    All applicants will need a valid travel document. Hong Kong nationals can use the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport to enter the United Kingdom.

    Applying and Travelling with your Family Members

    You can include in your BNO Vita application certain family members who normally live with you. This includes the following categories:

    • Spousecivil partner, or unmarried partner
    • Your children or grandchildren under the age of 18
    • Adult children born on or after 1st July 1997 (and their spouse and children under the age of 18) if they live with you and are dependent on you for their care
    • Other family members (grandparents, parents, siblings) in exceptional circumstances

    Partners applying to join applicants on a British National Overseas Visa must be over the age of 18 and the partner of either the BNO citizen or the partner of the BNO citizens adult child. During the application they will need to prove that they are either in a civil partnership or marriage that’s recognised in the UK or in a serious relationship and have been living with their partner for at least 2 years.

    To join you in the UK, each family member will need to make their own application as your dependent. As the applicant with BNO status, you will need to submit your application first to get an application number, this is known as Unique Application Number (UAN). Then, any family members will need to use this application number when they apply as a dependent. Your family members must submit their applications within two days of you submitting your own application.

    What Can I and Can’t I Do On a BNO Visa?

    You can live, work and study in the UK whilst in the country on a BNO Visa however there are some restrictions. You cannot work in the UK as a professional sportsperson or sports coach and you usually will not be able to claim any public funds whilst in country.

    In some circumstances, however, BNO visa holders may be able to apply for benefits, this includes if you:

    • Don’t have a place to live and cannot afford one
    • Dave a place to live but cannot afford essential living costs like food or heating
    • Are at risk of losing your home or being unable to afford essential living costs
    • Have a very low income, and not having access to benefits would harm your child’s wellbeing
    people in airport terminal with blue signs overhead

    BNO Visa Financial Requirements

    To be eligible for a BNO visa you must demonstrate that you can accommodate and provide financial support to yourself and your family for at least 6 months once in the UK. This can include you or your family member’s income and savings, money you will earn from a current job in the UK, or an offer for help from family and friends.

    As evidence of your circumstances, you must provide the following supporting documents:

    • Bank statements
    • Written statements from friends or family offering financial support or accommodation

    All documents that are not written in English must be accompanied by a certified translation.

    As well as money to prove that you can afford housing costs, you will also need to show that you have access to the same amount of money that someone in the UK on Income Support would normally receive. How much you will need depends on whether family members are also applying with you and how many of them there will be.

    Do you need help with your BNO Visa application, our lawyers are here for you.

    Do You Need Help with Your Application?

    IAS is the leading immigration services provider in the UK. Our team of professional immigration lawyers are committed to helping all our clients by offering excellent and bespoke advice.

    The BNO visa is a new immigration route, meaning that the application may seem complex and confusing. Our lawyers are trained in all the latest updates to UK immigration law and know exactly what it takes for a successful application.

    If you wish to receive professional assistance with your BNO application, one of our IAA-accredited immigration lawyers in London will be happy to help you through each step of the application process. Your lawyer can assess your eligibility, help you to fill in the application form and can assist you with gathering all of the documents that you will require.

    Call us today on +44 (0)333 414 9244 or enquire through our livechat to find out more about our excellent immigration services.

    BNO Visa Rejected

    A British National (Overseas), BNO Visa can be refused based on a number of reasons.

    One of the most common reasons for rejection is because the applicant fails to convince the entry clearance officer that they are a genuine British National (Overseas) citizen.

    If your application for a BNO Visa has been refused, it may be possible to request an administrative review. This request must be submitted within 14 or 28 days of receipt of the rejection (depending on where you apply from).

    If the immigration authorities believe that an error was made in the decision to refuse the visa, they may reverse the decision and the applicant can continue with the application process.

    However, if the entry clearance manager upholds the original decision, this means that the applicant has the option to file a Pre-action Protocol for a Judicial Review, and if the outcome of this is unsuccessful, the next step is Judicial Review.

    Alternatively, applicants may be more successful if they decide to submit a fresh application.

    How Can IAS Help Me?

    IAS is the leading immigration services provider in the UK. Our team of professional immigration lawyers are committed to helping all our clients by offering excellent and bespoke advice.

    The BNO visa is a new immigration route, meaning that the application may seem complex and confusing. Our lawyers are trained in all the latest updates to UK immigration law and know exactly what it takes for a successful application.

    If you wish to receive professional assistance with your BNO application, one of our IAA-accredited immigration lawyers in London will be happy to help you through each step of the application process. Your lawyer can assess your eligibility, help you to fill in the application form and can assist you with gathering all of the documents that you will require.

    Call us today on +44 (0)333 414 9244 or enquire through our livechat to find out more about our excellent immigration services.

    We offer immigration advice sessions as face to face appointments at all of our UK offices, or via the phone.

    Table of Contents

    Table of Contents will appear here.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    The BNO Visa application costs £193 if you’re applying for 2 years and 6 months or £268 if you’re applying for five years. As well as the application fee, you may need to attend an appointment to have our biometric information taken, this costs £19.20.

    You will also be requited to pay the healthcare surcharge, this is so that you can use the NHS.

    The BNO Visa application costs £193 if you’re applying for 2 years and 6 months or £268 if you’re applying for five years. As well as the application fee, you may need to attend an appointment to have our biometric information taken, this costs £19.20.

    You will also be requited to pay the healthcare surcharge, this is so that you can use the NHS.

    BNO status is a nationality status for British nationals who live overseas. The Hong Kong BNO status was created in 1985 prior to the hand over to china in 1997. To get this status, Hong Kong nationals had to apply prior to 1 July 1997.

    There are around 2.9 million Hong Kong nationals with BNO status and both them and their relatives can be eligible for the BNO Visa.

    Yes, the BNO visa to allow you to study whilst you are in the UK. This can be at a number of educational institutions including colleges and universities.

    You can apply to settle in the UK after you have lived in the country for at least 5 years on a BNO visa. Being granted settlement will allow you to live work and study in the United Kingdom permanently. You can also apply for citizenship 12 months after you receive ILR.

    What our clients are saying

    We are the UK’s leading immigration specialists

    IAA Accredited UK Immigration lawyers

    We’ve had over 25,000 applications approved

    We are now open 7 days a week from 8.30am to 6pm.

    How our UK Immigration Lawyers can help

    At the Immigration Advice Service our lawyers specialise in a wide range of UK visas, nationality and asylum applications and have represented clients in various successful complex and high-profile cases.

    Get in Touch

    Head Office:

    Immigration Advice Service
    Ashwood House, Ellen Street
    Oldham, OL9 6QR, United Kingdom

    Head Office Phone:

    +44 (0)333 414 9244

    We have over 12 offices across the world, find a branch near you.

    Call us now at +44 (0)333 414 9244 or request a call back using the form below.

      In the news

      Get in touch with our team

      Learn about our professional services and find out how we can help.

      X
      Contact Us