Hong Kong BN(O) Visa
visas completed
success rate
Apply for UK Permanent Residency in the 5th year, and British citizenship in the 6th year
Can apply with non BN(O) family members
Introduction of Hong Kong BN(O) Visa
The BNO visa application threshold is low and many visa applicants think that the approval is relatively straightforward. But in fact, there are many complexed cases which show that the UK government is still very strict about the applications.
According to the latest figures released by the UK Home Office, since the BNO scheme was launched in 2021, the UK has received a total of 140,500 visa applications, 95% of which have been approved, with a total of 133,124 people. As for visa refusal cases, there have been 335 cases since the 2021 Q4.
From our experience, most of these refusal cases are due to the applicants’ special records or personal circumstances, making them difficult to meet the visa requirements. During this period, we have received many requests and enquiries from a wide range of visa applicants, and we have given them full support to increase the success rate and conduct administrative review when necessary.
Hong Kong BN(O) Visa Requirements
Date of Application
The UK starts accepting applications on 31st January 2021
Application requirements
- Main applicant needs to hold BNO status (can be a valid or expired BNO passport)
- Good character (if the applicant has any criminal record, bankruptcy record, visa refusal record, further declaration and explanation are required, and the UK authority might request for additional documents)
- Permanent residency in Hong Kong (if the applicant is currently residing overseas, or holds a visa or nationality from another country, the applicant needs to further declare the previous immigration record and explain how they can meet the requirement of permanent residency in Hong Kong)
- Have sufficient funds to live in the UK for 6 months
- Pass a tuberculosis test
Family application
The main BNO applicant can apply with the following dependents:
a) Spouse, including married spouses, same-sex partners, unmarried partners living together for two years
b) Children, including unmarried children under the age of 18 born after July 1, 1997, or over the age of 18 but still single and dependent on their parents
c) Parents or other adult dependents who demonstrate a high degree of dependence on the main applicant
The provisions for adult children born after 1 July 1997 under the Hong Kong British National (Oversea) route
The UK government confirmed that the provisions for adult children born after 1 July 1997 under the Hong Kong British National (Oversea) route will be started from November 30, 2022. Adult children can apply for BNO visa independently if they meet the following requirements:
- Have at least one BN(O) parent;
- Are aged 18 or over;
- Were born on or after 1 July 1997; and
- Reside in Hong Kong, the UK or Crown Dependencies.
In addition, eligible applicants may apply together with their spouse (including married spouse, same-sex partners or the partner who has lived together for two years), their children and adult dependents.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, you can choose to submit the application through “UK Immigration: ID Check” App from 30 November 2022, UK time, or complete the biometric authentication procedures through the UK Visa Center.
No, for all visa applications submitted in the UK, although the UK Visa and Immigration Department will not collect your passport, you are not allowed to leave the country during the waiting period, otherwise your application will be considered as withdrawal.
The official approval time is 12 weeks (about three months), but you have to pay attention to the upcoming Christmas and New Year holidays, and the approval time may be extended. If you use the app to apply, the approval time will start to count from the day you submit the application; if you apply through the visa center, it will start to count from the day you complete the biometric information at the visa center.
No, the period of holding a student visa cannot be counted in the 5+1 year period, so if you intend to apply for permanent residence, you can consider switching to a BNO visa as soon as possible.
Depending on your previous residence time in the UK, if feasible, you can consider the 10-year route to apply for permanent residence, that is, student visa for eight years + BNO visa for two years. You must prove that during these 10 years, you have been continuously live in the UK and have not been out of the UK for more than 540 days. If you meet the relevant requirements in the above example, you do not need to wait for another 5+1 year period.
When you apply for the BNO visa, you need to pay for IHS medical insurance. If your BNO visa has overlapping years with your previous student visa, under normal circumstances, you will receive an IHS refund for the overlapping period within two to three months usually. You may contact with the UK Visa and Immigration Department if you do not receive it after a long time.
Yes, according to the latest immigration rules, as long as one of your parents hold BNO status when they were alive, the child can still apply through this route even the parents have now passed away.
Yes, eligible applicants may apply along with their spouse (including married, same-sex or spouses who have been living together for two years), their children and adult dependents.
No, it is not required if applying through this route.
We need to learn more about your criminal record details, including the type of criminal record, the length of the crime, and the sentence you have been sentenced to. We suggest that you apply for a Criminal Conviction Record (CCD) first, and then consult us for further advice. You can visit the below page for details.
https://www.ukimms.com/kinds-of-visa/bno-special-case-admin-review/
Visa length
You can apply for either a 5-year or a 2.5-year visa with a further 2.5-year extension.
Permanent Residence and British Passport application
- Applicants can apply for Permanent Residency (PR) after 5 years of residing in the UK, and a British Passport in Year 6.
- According to the current Immigration rules, the requirements for applying Permanent Residence are as follows:
- Applicants must have lived in the UK for 5 consecutive years and must not have left the UK for more than 180 days in any consecutive 12 months during the 5-year period.
- All persons aged between 18 and 64 (based on the date of application for permanent residency) need to pass the Life in the UK test, and hold the relevant English requirements (IELTS Life Skills B1 Test) or hold a University degree certificate taught in English.
- According to the current Immigration rules, the requirements for applying for British Citizenship:
- Applicants will need to live for one more year after obtaining permanent residency and apply British Citizenship in year 6.
- Applicants cannot leave the UK for more than 450 days in the 5 years before the British Citizenship application, and cannot leave the UK for more than 90 days within the last 12 months before the application.
Visa Benefits and Conditions
- Applicants and family dependents are allowed to work and study in the UK.
- Children can enjoy free education in primary and secondary schools.
- Applicants are not allowed to receive any public funds.
10 Key Q&A’s
Many of our clients have been inquiring about the eligibility of applying BN(O) visa. We have summarized the most frequently asked questions for your reference. If you have any questions, please arrange a consultation with our team to discuss your circumstances.
- Full guidance and support throughout the application
- Provide you with a list of documents required for your application
- Drafting personal statement to explain your background and circumstances
- Checking all supporting documents to ensure eligibility
- Completion of application forms and upload of documents
- Liaising with the UK Visa and Immigration Department on your behalf
- Referral service for property rental and purchase, education consultancy for independent schools, UK tax and accountancy advice, shipping and relocation, pet immigration services.
If you apply via the visa centre, you will need to land in the UK within 90 days.
If you apply via the “UK Immigration: ID check” app, you will need to land the UK within 180 days in order to fulfil the residency rules for PR application.
How much you need depends on how many family members are applying with you. For example, you’ll need about:
- £2,000 as a single adult
- £3,100 as a couple with a child
- £4,600 as a couple with 3 children
- £9,200 as a couple with 2 parents and 2 adult children
Applicants will need to provide a valid TB certificate from one of the approved clinics in HK. The certificate is valid for six months and it must be valid at the date of the visa application (instead of the date of landing in the UK).
The official processing time is 12 weeks, which is around 3 months.
Under the current Immigration laws, if your child is aged under 18, you will have to apply as a family unit, unless you have the sole custody of the child.
If your child is already aged over 18, you can apply with your child and you do not need to include your spouse in the application.
After five years, if your child is still under 18 years old, both parents will need to fulfil the residency requirements (no more than 180 days absence during any 12 months) in order for the child to apply PR.
The UK Home Office will consider the applicant’s past criminal records including the type of conviction, the date of the crime, the sentence imposed, whether the applicant was sentenced to imprisonment and so forth to make decision case-by-case.
If you have previously declared bankruptcy, you will need to confirm whether the bankruptcy order has been dissolved and declare this on the application form.
Please contact us for further information about your criminal or bankruptcy record in order for us to advise further.
You need to provide at least three items of proof of address (e.g. utility bills, bank statements or any official correspondence) to confirm your permanent address in HK.
If you have been residing in other countries for study, work or family reasons, we will need to assess your immigration history and your current visa state in your current country to assess your eligibility (e.g. whether you have already obtained PR or citizenship in that country is an important consideration).