UK BN(O) Visa
United Kingdom
Residency
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See if you're a match →The UK British National (Overseas) visa is for eligible Hong Kong BN(O) status holders and certain adult children of BN(O) status holders. It can support a long-term move to the UK and may lead to settlement after qualifying residence.
- Type
- Nationality-based UK residence
- Status fit
- BN(O) status holders and qualifying family members
- Core requirements
- BN(O) status, identity records, and family documents
- What to know
- Can support a long-term move toward UK settlement
- Duration
- Initial validity depends on the permit approval and current local rules.
- Renewal / path
- Renewal and any path to permanence depend on continued eligibility and local law.
Summary
The UK British National (Overseas) visa is for eligible people from Hong Kong who have BN(O) status, and for certain adult children of BN(O) status holders. It can also allow eligible family members to apply in the right circumstances.
This is one of the UK's major long-term Hong Kong routes. It can support a move to the UK and may lead to settlement after qualifying residence.
Eligibility
You may be a fit if:
- You are 18 or older.
- You are a British National (Overseas), or you are an eligible adult child of a BN(O) status holder.
- Your permanent home fits the route's location rule.
- Any family members applying with you fit the family-member rules.
- You can support and accommodate yourself and family members without public funds.
- You meet identity, TB-test, suitability, and document requirements.
What This Route Allows
The route can let eligible applicants live, work, and study in the UK. It can also form part of a longer plan toward settlement after 5 years of qualifying residence and later British citizenship after the separate naturalization stage.
What This Route Is Not
- A general route for anyone from Hong Kong.
- The same as British citizenship.
- A route based only on having relatives in Hong Kong.
- A substitute for checking whether someone already has a British nationality status.
Next Steps
- Confirm whether you hold BN(O) status or qualify as an adult child of a BN(O) status holder.
- Confirm your permanent-home location for the route.
- Check which family members can apply with you.
- Prepare identity, funds, accommodation, TB-test, and relationship evidence.
- Apply through GOV.UK and wait for a decision before travelling if applying from overseas.