On 31 January 2021, the UK launched a bespoke immigration route for British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) status holders and their family members. The route reflects the UK’s historic and moral commitment to those people of Hong Kong who chose to retain their ties to the UK by taking up BN(O) status before Hong Kong’s handover to China in 1997.
Under the route, those with BN(O) status and their eligible family members can apply to come to the UK to live, study and work in virtually any capacity, on a pathway to citizenship. After five years in the UK, BN(O) status holders and their family members will be able to apply for settlement, followed by citizenship after a further twelve months.
BN(O) status is a form of British nationality created for people from Hong Kong so they could retain ties to the UK after Hong Kong’s handover to China in 1997. Registration for BN(O) status was a time limited offer and there are no plans for BN(O) registration to re-open, or avenues to apply retrospectively. BN(O) status cannot be passed to children and only those with BN(O) status can apply for a BN(O) passport.
Key points:
- The UK Government delivered on its commitment to open an immigration route for BN(O) status holders and their eligible family members. The Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) route opened for applications on 31 January 2021.
- The route reflects the UK’s historic and moral commitment to those people of Hong Kong who chose to retain their ties to the UK by taking up BN(O) status before Hong Kong’s handover to China in 1997.
- Many applicants can apply for the BN(O) route via a fully digital process which allows for an easier and more convenient application.
- In our impact assessment published in October 2020, it was estimated there were 2.9 million BN(O) status holders eligible to move to the UK, with a further estimated 2.3 million eligible dependants. Our impact assessment can be found here.
- As set out in our impact assessment, our central range analysis estimated between 123,000 and 153,700 BN(O) status holders and their dependants coming in the first year and between 258,000 and 322,400 over five years.
- Assuming our central scenario is correct, we think the net benefit for the UK will be between £2.4 and £2.9 billion over 5 years.
- Application numbers for the BN(O) route are released as part of the quarterly migration statistics which can be found here: Immigration statistics quarterly release - Immigration statistics quarterly release - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
- More information on the BN(O) route can be found here: British National (Overseas) visa - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Eligibility:
- BN(O) status holders can apply to the route with their immediate family members which includes their:
- partner or spouse
- child or grandchild under 18
- child 18 or older, 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
- In addition, the Government recently announced a change to the BN(O) route which will allow the adult children of a BN(O) status holder to apply for the route independently of their parents. This will apply to individuals who:
- Have at least one BN(O) parent;
- Reside in Hong Kong, the UK, or the Crown Dependencies;
- Are over 18; and
- Were born on or after 1 July 1997
- These individuals will need to meet all remaining eligibility and suitability requirements for the route but will no longer need to apply with their BN(O) parent or be a member of the same household.
- This change will be implemented from the Autumn with further detail to be published in due course.
Settlement:
- Those on the BN(O) route will be able to apply for settlement (also known as indefinite leave to remain) after a period of 5 years’ continuous residence in the UK.
- Time spent in the UK on either the BN(O) route or another route which leads to settlement can count towards the 5-year period, however the most recent permission must be on the BN(O) route.
- Following this, should they wish, they can apply for British citizenship.
- Further information can be found at the following link: British National (Overseas) visa: Living permanently in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Applying for the visa:
- Many applicants can apply for the BN(O) route via a fully digital process which allows for an easier and more convenient application. This can be done using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check App’ from within the UK or overseas and will enable those with a BN(O) or EEA biometric passport and those with HK SAR biometric passports issued after Summer 2019 to submit their biometrics and validate their identity using an app.
- Further information about how to use the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check App’ can be found here: Using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ app - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).
- Those who are not able to use the digital route will need to attend a Visa Application Centre or UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) in order to apply.
- Applicants will be required to prove BN(O) status or their relationship to a BN(O) status holder. Where a BN(O) passport has been lost, expired or cannot be submitted, eligibility checks can be made using historical records held by Her Majesty’s Passport Office.
- Applicants will need to hold a valid tuberculosis test certificate from a clinic approved by the Home Office.
- Further information on how to apply can be found at the following link: British National (Overseas) visa: Apply from outside the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Entitlements:
- The BN(O) route is a generous offer that affords long-term safety and stability for these individuals and their families.
- Those on the route will be able to live, study and work in virtually any capacity once they are in the UK.
- Children of those eligible for the BN(O) route will be able attend a state funded school in England as long as the family lives in the UK.
- Further information on the support available to those one the BN(O) route can be found at the following link: Welcome: a guide for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa holders in the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Visa Fees:
- Applicants to the BN(O) route can choose whether to apply for 30 months’ permission in the first instance, followed by a further 30 months. Or they can apply for five years from the start. Applicants will need to pay the application fee as well as the associated Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS).
- A five-year visa will cost £250 per person. Applicants will also be able to apply for a 30-month visa which will cost £180 per person. For further information on costs, please visit: British National (Overseas) visa: How much it costs - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
- Applicants on this route are expected to be self-sufficient and will need to show that they can accommodate and sustain both themselves and their dependants, for at least six months upon arrival to the UK. Further information can be found at the following link: British National (Overseas) visa: How much it costs - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Not eligible for BN(O) route:
- Individuals from Hong Kong who are not eligible for the BN(O) route may wish to consider other UK immigration routes.
- The Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) is a cultural exchange programme which allows a person aged between 18 and 30, from participating countries and territories (including Hong Kong) to experience life in the UK for up to two years.
- Additionally, individuals from Hong Kong can apply to come to the UK through other routes including the Student, Graduate and Skilled Work routes.