BNO Visa - HKPA
BNO Visa
Overview
Rights in the UK
The below information is extracted from the UK Government website. For the latest updates on BNO visa application requirements and procedures, please visit British National Overseas BNO Visa.
If you’re from Hong Kong and a British National (Overseas), you and your family members can apply for a British National (Overseas) visa which is known as BNO visa. With the BNO visa, you may enjoy the rights in the UK:
If you’re from Hong Kong and a British National (Overseas), you and your family members can apply for a British National (Overseas) visa which is known as BNO visa. With the BNO visa, you may enjoy the rights in the UK:
Live
Work (except for professional sportsperson or sports coach)
Study (including at school, college or university)
You can apply to stay for either:
2 years and 6 months
5 years
How much does it cost?
| Visa Application Fee | Health Surcharge | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Years visa | £250 per person | Adult: £3,120 Child: £2,350 *Child: under 18 years old |
| 2 years 6 months visa |
£180 per person | Adult: £1,560 Child: £1,175 |
Document
Documents you'll need
to apply
| You need to show | Documents | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| Your identity and nationality | A valid passport or other travel document | If you’re a British National (Overseas) (BNO), you can use a current or expired BNO passport (or a photocopy) to show your BNO status when you apply. If you no longer have a BNO passport you can still apply. The Home Office will check your status but it may take longer to get a decision on your application. You do not need a BNO passport to travel to the UK. You can use any valid passport or travel document. |
| You have a permanent home in Hong Kong, the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | You’ll need to provide up to 3 documents that show your permanent home address. This can include:
|
Your family members (‘dependants’) will need to provide evidence that their permanent home address is the same as yours. |
| You have enough money to support yourself and your family for 6 months in the UK, unless you’ve been living in the UK for at least 12 months | If you’re applying with family, evidence can include you and your family member’s income or savings. You might need to provide evidence such as:
|
At least one piece of evidence must be dated no more than 31 days before you submit your application. An offer of work does not usually count as evidence unless you’re transferring to a job in the UK with your current employer. If you’ve been in the UK for 12 months or more on a Youth Mobility Scheme visa, you still need to show you have enough money to support yourself and your family. |
| Your relationship with family members |
|
|
| Your tuberculosis (TB) test certificate | If you’re applying from outside the UK If you’ve been living in Hong Kong or another country where you have to take a TB test for the past 6 months, you must provide a TB certificate. If you’re already in the UK If you provided a TB certificate to come to the UK, you do not need to show one again. Otherwise, you’ll need to provide a TB test certificate to stay in the UK if you came from Hong Kong or another country where you have to take the TB test. |
The certificate must be no older than 6 months when you apply for your visa. Your test certificate must be from an approved test centre abroad or an approved test centre in the UK. Country you need to take a TB test: https://www.gov.uk/tb-test-visa/countries-where-you-need-a-tb-test-to-enter-the-uk Approved test centres (clinics and hospitals) in Hong Kong: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tuberculosis-test-for-a-uk-visa-clinics-in-hong-kong/tuberculosis-testing-in-hong-kong |
Outside the UK
Apply from outside the
UK
You must apply online for a British National (Overseas) visa.
You permanent home must be in Hong Kong.
As part of your online application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on what type of passport you have. You’ll either:
You permanent home must be in Hong Kong.
As part of your online application, you’ll need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on what type of passport you have. You’ll either:
Use the “UK Immigration: ID Check” app to scan your BNO, HKSAR or EEA passport.
You’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
Go to an appointment at a a visa application centre to give your fingerprints and a photo – this is to get a biometric residence permit (BRP)
After you apply
UKVI aims to make decision on your application within 12 weeks.
If you applied using the “UK Immigration: ID Check” app, the 12 weeks start from the date you submitted your online application.
If you went to a visa application centre, the 12 weeks from the date you attended your appointment and submitted your fingerprints.
If your application is successful
You must travel to the UK:
Within 90 days, if you went to a visa application centre to prove your identity
Before your visa expires, if you used the “UK Immigration: ID Check” app to prove your identity
If your application is unsuccessful
If you’re a British National (Overseas) and your application is unsuccessful, your family members’ applications will also be refused. If your application is successful but your family’s is not, you can still come to the UK. You’ll get a refund for the healthcare surcharge you paid for each unsuccessful application.
Permanent in the UK
Living permanently in
the UK
If you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years, you may be able to apply to stay permanently.
Applying to settle in the UK
You can apply to settle in the UK known as “indefinite leave to remain” after you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years on a BNO visa. This means you can stay in the UK without any time limits. To apply, you’ll need to:
Meet the knowledge to English requirements
Pass the Life in the UK Test
Have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months in the last 5 years
Pay an application fee.
Becoming a British citizen
One year after you settle in the UK with “indefinite leave to remain”, you’ll usually be able to apply for British citizenship.
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