United Kingdom•Europe3 months
18,799.5 GBP
61 months
Yes
Not Required
Not Specified
Available
Allowed
For BN(O) status holders and their family members to live, work and study in the UK.
The UK British National (Overseas) visa lets BN(O) status holders and their family members live, work, and study in the UK. It requires no job offer, no salary threshold, and no points — eligibility rests entirely on BN(O) status or descent from a BN(O) holder born on or after 1 July 1979.
The visa is granted for 2.5 or 5 years, with unlimited renewals and a clear 5-year pathway to ILR (indefinite leave to remain). Application fees are £206 (30-month) or £285 (5-year); the Immigration Health Surcharge adds £2,587.50–£5,175 per adult. Dual intent is permitted and spouses work without restriction.
This visa is ideal for Hong Kong BN(O) holders and their families seeking a flexible, status-based route to UK permanent settlement and eventual citizenship.
Visa application fee (2.5 years) | 206 GBP |
Visa application fee (5 years) | 285 GBP |
Immigration Health Surcharge — adult (2.5 years) | 2,587.5 GBP |
Immigration Health Surcharge — adult (5 years) | 5,175 GBP |
Immigration Health Surcharge — child under 18 (2.5 years) | 1,940 GBP |
Immigration Health Surcharge — child under 18 (5 years) | 3,880 GBP |
Priority service (5 working days) | 500 GBP |
Super Priority service (next working day) | 1,000 GBP |
ILR (settlement) fee | 3,226 GBP |
| Standard | 3 months |
| Priority | 5 days |
| Super Priority | 1 day |
| Initial grant | 5.0 years |
Must be 18 or older (for main applicant)
Must hold British National (Overseas) status, OR be an adult child of a BNO holder born on or after 1 July 1979
Must have permanent home in Hong Kong (if applying from outside UK), or be in UK/Channel Islands/Isle of Man/Hong Kong
Sufficient funds to support self and dependants for 6 months (approx. £2,000–£9,200 depending on family size)
Funds requirement waived if applicant has lived in UK for 12+ months
Cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach
No recourse to public funds (limited hardship exceptions apply)
Education
none or higher
Min. Savings
2,000 EUR
Valid passport or travel document
Current or expired BNO passport (photocopy acceptable; Home Office will verify if unavailable)
Up to 3 proof-of-address documents (utility bills, visa/residence permit, payslips, bank statements, employer letter, rent/mortgage records, GP letter)
Financial evidence (unless 12+ months UK resident): bank statements, payslips, self-employment/rental income proof — at least one dated within 31 days of application
TB test certificate if applying from abroad after 6+ months in a designated country
Family documents: marriage/civil partnership certificates, birth/adoption certificates for children
Adult children (18+, born after 1 July 1979): parent's BNO passport and birth/adoption certificate proving relationship
Certified translations for all non-English documents
| Online application only — no named paper form | — |
| Identity verified via UK Immigration: ID Check app or in-person biometrics at UKVCAS | — |
| ILR (settlement) applied for online via Home Office portal after 5 years | — |
| Children born outside UK applying for citizenship: Form MN1 | — |
| Application Steps | Check eligibility, required documents, costs, and family member procedures; Apply online — no paper … | gov.uk |
| Fee Breakdown | Visa application fee (2.5 years): 206 GBP; Visa application fee (5 years): 285 GBP; Immigration Heal… | gov.uk |
| Fee Breakdown · ILR (settlement) fee · amount | 3226 | gov.uk |
| Fees | £206 (30-month) or £285 (5-year) | gov.uk |
| Forms | Online application only — no named paper form; Identity verified via UK Immigration: ID Check app or… | gov.uk |
| Included Nationalities | — | gov.uk |
| Job Offer Required | false | gov.uk |
| Application Portal | https://www.gov.uk/british-national-overseas-bno-visa/apply-first-time-outside-uk | gov.uk |
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