British National (Overseas) visa

At a Glance

Item	Details
Visa Name	British National (Overseas) visa
Stay	2.5 years or 5 years
Cost	£206 (30 months) or £285 (5 years)
Eligibility Timing	Age 18+; born on/after 1 July 1979
Work Rights	Permitted (except professional sportsperson/coach)
Study Rights	Permitted at school, college, or university
Medicare / Healthcare	Healthcare surcharge required; access to NHS
Travel Facility	Must not travel during application processing
Citizenship Route	Eligible 1 year after settlement
Family Sponsorship	Partner, dependent children, adult dependent relatives
Visa Record	Digital status (eVisa) / UKVI account

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Purpose

The British National (Overseas) (BNO) visa allows British nationals (overseas) and their eligible family members from Hong Kong to live, work, and study in the United Kingdom.

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Eligibility Criteria

To apply, you must be 18 or older and either:

• A British national (overseas).
• The child of a British national (overseas) born on or after 1 July 1979 (can apply separately from the BNO parent).

Residence Requirement

Your permanent home must be:

• In Hong Kong (if applying from outside the UK).
• In the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Hong Kong (if applying inside the UK).

Financial Requirement (First-Time Applicants)

If applying for the first time, you must prove you have enough money to house and support yourself and your family for at least 6 months (unless you have already been living in the UK for 12 months or more).

• You must have accommodation funds plus an amount equal to UK Income Support.
• Approximate minimum thresholds:
  • Single adult: ~£2,000
  • Couple with 1 child: ~£3,100
  • Couple with 3 children: ~£4,600
  • Couple with 2 parents and 2 adult children: ~£9,200
• Funds can come from savings, UK employment earnings, an intracompany transfer, or financial support/housing offers from family and friends.
• At least one financial document must be dated within 31 days of submission.

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Family Provisions

Family members can apply as dependants. Each family member must submit a separate application.

Eligible Dependants

• Partner: Spouse, civil partner, or unmarried partner (must prove 2 years of cohabitation or a 2-year ongoing committed relationship if living together was not possible).
• Children under 18: Must normally apply with both parents and live with you (unless exemptions apply, such as sole responsibility or living away for study).
• Partner’s children (18+): Eligible if born on or after 1 July 1979; must apply at the same time and normally live with you.
• Adult Dependent Relatives: Parent, grandparent, sibling, or adult child who requires long-term personal care due to age, illness, or disability, where care is unavailable or unaffordable in Hong Kong.

Family Application Linking

• The lead applicant applies first to generate a Global Web Form (GWF), Unique Application Number (UAN), or family linking code.
• Partners, children under 18, and adult dependent relatives do not have to apply at the exact same time as the main applicant.
• Other family members must apply within 2 days of the lead applicant.

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Fees and Healthcare Surcharge

1. Application Fee (per person)

• 2 years and 6 months: £206
• 5 years: £285

2. Healthcare Surcharge (NHS Access)

• Adult (18+): £2,587.50 (for 2.5 years) or £5,175 (for 5 years)
• Child (under 18): £1,940 (for 2.5 years) or £3,880 (for 5 years)

Fee Waiver: If you are extending for 30 months from within the UK, receive public benefits, and cannot afford the costs, you may be exempt from the fee and healthcare surcharge.

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Rights and Conditions

• Work: You can work in almost any role (except as a professional sportsperson or sports coach).
• Study: You can study at any level (school, college, university).
• Public Funds: You cannot usually access most benefits. You may apply to change your conditions to access public funds if you face destitution, extreme financial hardship, or child welfare risks.

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Processing Times and Travel Rules

• Standard Processing: Usually within 12 weeks of submitting the online form (via the ID app) or attending a biometric appointment.
• Travel Restriction: You must not travel outside the UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man while an in-country application is pending; doing so will result in withdrawal of the application.
• Overseas Applicants: You should wait for a decision before travelling to the UK.

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Required Documents

• Identity: Valid passport or travel document (current or expired BNO passport, HKSAR passport, or other valid passport).
• Proof of BNO Parent (if adult child): Parent’s BNO passport details and full birth/adoption certificates.
• Proof of Address: Up to 3 documents (e.g., utility bills, bank statements, payslips, council letters, tenancy agreements).
• Financial Evidence: Bank statements, payslips, or letters of accommodation/support (dated within 31 days).
• Relationship Evidence: Marriage, civil partnership, or birth certificates.
• Tuberculosis (TB) Certificate: Required if applying from (or residing in for the past 6 months) Hong Kong or a listed country. Must be from an approved clinic and issued within the last 6 months.
• Translations: Certified English translations for all non-English documents.

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Application Steps

1. Check Requirements: Confirm eligibility, gather evidence, and obtain an approved TB test if required.
2. Apply Online:
   • Apply from outside the UK
   • Apply or switch inside the UK
3. Prove Identity:
   • Scan your BNO, HKSAR, or EEA biometric passport via the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app; or
   • Book and attend a biometric appointment at a visa application centre or UKVCAS point.
4. Pay Fees: Pay the visa fee and healthcare surcharge online.
5. Receive Decision: UKVI will issue the decision by email or letter. Status is managed digitally via a UKVI account.

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Extensions, Settlement, and Citizenship

Extensions

You can extend your BNO visa as many times as you want. Apply before your current visa expires (up to 28 days remaining can be added to the new grant).

Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain)

• Eligibility: 5 continuous years in the UK on eligible settlement routes (with the most recent visa being BNO).
• Absences: No more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period.
• Requirements: Pass the Life in the UK Test and meet English language level B1 (for ages 18–64).
• Cost: £3,226 per applicant.
• Decision Time: Approximately 6 months.

British Citizenship

• BNO status holders and naturalised adult family members can usually apply for British citizenship 12 months after obtaining settlement.

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Important Warnings

• Visitors Switching: You cannot enter the UK as a Standard Visitor with the intention of switching to a BNO visa from within the country.
• Asylum Claimants: If you have an outstanding asylum claim, do not withdraw it until after submitting your BNO application. If you have already withdrawn an asylum claim, apply within 1 month.
• Failed Applications: If the lead applicant is refused, all accompanying dependants will be refused. If an in-country applicant is refused solely on funds or residence grounds, UKVI may grant up to 12 months of temporary leave and a partial surcharge refund.