A Guide to the Hong Kong BNO Visa

Originally, having BNO status simply meant that you could visit the UK for up to 6 months without a visa. However, the Home Office recently announced a new Hong Kong BN(O) Visa that will allow BNO citizens and their close family members to live, work and study in the UK. The announcement came as a result of the Chinese government passing a new security law in Hong Kong. Now, the BNO Visa will act as a route to settlement and citizenship for Hong Kong BNO citizens.

Page Contents

• Overview on Hong Kong BNO Visa
• How do I apply for the BNO Visa?
• What can I do on a BNO Visa?
• Which family members can join me in the UK?
• How much does it cost to apply?

To be eligible for the BNO Visa you must be a BNO citizen and will also need to be at least 18 years of age.

If you are applying from outside of the UK then your permanent residence must be in Hong Kong. If applying form inside the UK then your permanent residence must be in either the UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands or Hong Kong.

As well as these requirements, you will also need to prove that you have enough money to support yourself whilst in the UK to be eligible for the BNO Visa.

Whether you are applying from inside or outside of the UK, you must apply online for the BNO Visa. The application form is available on the gov.uk website.

When making your application there are several documents that you will need to provide, these include:

• A valid passport or other travel document that shows your identity and nationality
• Evidence of your BNO status, you can use a current or expired BNO passport. You can still apply if you do not have a BNO passport but the application process may be delayed
• Proof of your permanent residence, you’ll need 3 documents to prove this just a few of the documents you can use include utility bills, bank statements or a letter from the council or local government
• Proof that you can support yourself financially whilst in the UK, for this you may need to provide bank statements, payslips or proof of income from self-employment
• Evidence of your relationship to family members that you intend to bring with you
• Your Tuberculosis test certificate, if you are applying from Hong Kong

As well as filling in the application form and providing the above documents, you must also prove your identity as part of the BNO Visa application process. You can do this by either:

• Using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app to scan your BNO, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) or EEA passport – you’ll also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
• Going to a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services centre to provide your biometric information (fingerprints and a photo) to get a biometric residence permit.

You can apply to stay in the UK for either 2 years and 6 months or for 5 years when you make a BNO Visa application. You can also extend your visa as many times as you like if you wish to stay in the UK. After living here for 5 years, you will also be able to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) to make the UK your permanent home.

The BNO Visa gives your the freedom to live, study and work in the UK. However, you cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.

You should also not that you cannot apply for benefits whilst you are in the UK on this visa.

Your family members can apply as a dependent to join you in the UK on your BNO Visa. A dependent can include your:

• Husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
• Child or grandchild under 18
• Child 18 over 18, born on or after 1 July 1997 (and their partner or child under 18)
• Parent, grandparent, brother, sister, son or daughter (18 or older) if they live with you and are very dependent on you for their care

There are specific requirements that each of these family members may need to meet in order to be an eligible dependent. When making your BNO Visa application you must also prove your relationship to any family members that you intent to bring with you to the UK.

When applying for the BNO Visa there are several costs that you should consider. Firstly, you and any family members that you intend to bring with you will each need to pay the application fee, which is as follows:

• £206  if you’re applying for 2 years and 6 months
• £285  if you’re applying for 5 years

As well as the application fee, there are other costs that you may incur. If you have to have your biometric information taken as part of your application then this will cost you £19.20.

You will also need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge, this is an annual charge that immigrants are required to pay that gives you access to the UK’s healthcare system, the NHS. You will still be required to pay for some NHS services such as prescriptions, eye care and dental care.

For each adult (18 or older) the Health Surcharge costs £1035 per year.

For each child (under 18), it costs £776 per year.

During your application you will also need to prove that you have enough money to support yourself and any dependents whilst in the UK. The amount that you will need varies depending on whether you are applying alone, or with dependents.