Do you have British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) status? If so, here is some information from the UK Government about applying for BN(O) visas.

You can find full information, including the list of documents you need to apply, at the UK Government website.

The Government has also published a Welcome Guide for BN(O) visa holders, also available in Chinese.

 The UK Government has created a new visa to enable British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) status holders ordinarily resident in Hong Kong or the UK, and their immediate family members, to settle in the UK to live, work and study.

If you are already in the UK under Leave Outside the Rules, you need to apply for the visa before your leave expires.

You do not need to apply straight away, unless your leave is expiring soon.

If you have a biometric BN(O), HKSAR or EEA passport, you can apply using the smartphone app. This is easier and more convenient.

About the BN(O) visa

The Hong Kong BN(O) visa will provide eligible applicants with the ability to enter or remain in the UK for up to 5 years. Applicants and their family members will be able to live, work and study in the UK but will not have access to public funds. After these 5 years, successful applicants will have the choice to apply for indefinite leave to remain and, after a further 12 months, they will be able to apply for citizenship. BN(O) status holders do not need a valid BN(O) passport to apply for the Hong Kong BN(O) visa.

 Who can apply

Anyone who is a BN(O) status holder and normally resides in Hong Kong or the UK can apply for the Hong Kong BN(O) visa. Applicants do not need a valid BN(O) passport to demonstrate eligibility and you don’t need to request a new passport if it has expired or been lost. If applying from outside the UK, you will need a valid travel document or passport to travel. Following an announcement by the Chinese government on 29 January 2021, you may no longer be able to leave Hong Kong using your BN(O) passport. However, you will still be able to travel to the UK using another valid travel document or passport, and your BN(O) passport can still be used to evidence your BN(O) status and to apply via the smartphone app from 23 February 2021. Family members who normally live with a BN(O) status holder may also be able to apply. This includes: a spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner, children (under the age of 18), adult children born on or after 1 July 1997 (and their spouse, or child under the age of 18). Other family members (parents, grandparents, brother, sister, son or daughter) in exceptional circumstances where there is a high level of dependency. Children under 18 must intend to live with their parents during their stay in the UK, unless there is a good reason why they cannot.

Applying from within the UK

There have been a small number of BN(O) status holders who have wished to travel to the UK sooner. In these exceptional circumstances, UK Border Force officers have been able to consider granting leave outside the rules (LOTR) for a period of 6 months to BN(O) status holders and their accompanying dependants at the UK border. If you are a BN(O) status holder, or a BN(O) family member, and are already in the UK, you do not need to apply straightaway unless your existing leave is shortly expiring. This also applies to applicants with leave in another category which is due to expire, for example skilled workers (Tier 2), students (Tier 4) or visitors: they can also apply to switch to this route if they wish to remain in the UK. Those granted LOTR at the border will be able to work and study but will have no recourse to public funds.

 How to apply

You can start your application online at GOV.UK. There are 2 application options available:

1. If you have a BN(O), HKSAR, or EEA biometric passport, you can apply using a smartphone app in a fully digital way from 23 February 2021. This is a more convenient application process that does not require a visit to a Visa Application Centre (VAC) or a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Service (UKVCAS) location. You will be able to apply and upload your document using an app and if your application is successful, you will obtain your immigration status online for immediate use. If your application is approved, you will not get a vignette (visa sticker) in your passport or need to collect a biometric residence permit (BRP) when you are in the UK. We encourage applicants who can benefit from the fully digital process to apply from 23 February 2021.

2. From 31 January 2021, all BN(O)s and their dependants can apply on GOV.UK. If you are applying from overseas, you will be required to make an appointment at a VAC, for example in Hong Kong, to submit your biometric information and complete your application. If your application is approved, you will get a vignette (visa sticker) in your passport, this will give you 90 days to travel to the UK. When you arrive you will need to collect a BRP. If applying in the UK you will be required to make an appointment at a UKVCAS location in the UK, to submit your biometric information and complete your application. If your application is approved, you will need to collect a BRP. You may still need to make an appointment to attend a VAC or UKVCAS location to give your fingerprint biometrics if you are unable to successfully use our online digital application process.

For further details, including information on applying and travelling as a family, costs, what you can and cannot do once in the UK, and additional eligibility requirements please visit:

www.gov.uk/british-national-overseas-bno-visa

or download this BN(O) Visa Leaflet.