What is the Hong Kong BN(O) Visa?
Who Can Apply for the Hong Kong BN(O) Visa?
If you are currently living in Hong Kong or are in the UK and hold BNO citizenship, you can apply for the BN(O) visa to enter or remain in the UK for 30 months or 5 years. Any close family members can also apply with you as your dependant/s.
How Do I Apply for the Hong Kong BN(O) Visa?
If you currently have a chipped HKSAR, BN(O), or EEA passport you can apply for the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) Visa using the UK Immigration: ID Check app . Otherwise, you can make the application online via the .gov website.
How Much does it Cost?
The Home Office Fee
The Current Home Office fee for BNO visa applications is
either
£180
for 30 months, or
£250
if applying
for 5 years leave to enter/remain.
The Immigration Health Surcharge
You will also need to pay for the Immigration Health charge which gives you access to the National Health Service (NHS) for the duration of your visa term. This fee is mandatory and is currently £1,035 per year (for adults) which equates to £3,105 for 30 months, or £5,175 for 5 years. The IHS fee for children (under 18yrs old) is £776 per year, so £2,328 for 30 months or £3,880 for 5 years.
The IHS fee/s must also be paid in full and up front.
Can I include Family Members on my Application?
Your family members who normally live with you may also be able to apply (they must apply with you). These can include your:
- spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner
- child/ren (under the age of 18)
- adult child/ren born on or after 1 July 1997 (and their spouse, or child under the age of 18)
- other family members (parent, grandparent, brother, sister, son or daughter) in exceptional circumstances where there is a high level of dependency
* Any 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.
BN(O) Status Holder Requirement
You must be a British National (Overseas) under the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986. You do not need a valid a BN(O) passport to evidence this. Even if you have an expired BN(O) passport, you should still submit it with your application. If your BN(O) passport has been lost, it may be possible for eligibility checks to be made using historical records held by Her Majesty’s Passport Office.
Residency Requirement
If you are making an application from outside the UK, you and any family members that wish to apply must normally reside in Hong Kong.
If you are already in the UK and wish to switch to the BNO visa, you must already have valid leave to reside in the UK i.e. you are currently living in the UK lawfully. - This includes BNO citizens and their dependants who were granted ‘Leave Outside the Rules’ to enter the UK at the discretion of the UK Border Force officer/s.
Maintenance & Accommodation Requirement
You must be able to evidence that you can adequately accommodate and financially support yourself and any family members for at least 6 months while living in the UK. Examples of this can be:
- Funds held in your bank account;
- Income from employment or self-employment in the UK;
- Other regular income you receive e.g. rental income from property;
- Support or accommodation that will be provided by friends or family
Tuberculosis (TB) certificate requirement
If you currenlty reside in Hong Kong or have been living in one these
countries on this list
, you will also be required to take and produce a TB Test as part of your applcation.
These are the primary requirements, but there are many other elements for a successful BN(O) Visa application. There is whole host of information you must provide, and the type of supporting documents you must include will depend on your circumstances. A ny mistakes could be costly and stressful should your application be refused as a result.
If you have any concerns about meeting the requirements or the submitting the correct documents to support your application for a BN(O) visa, book a Consultation to receive expert legal advice about yout case.
Why Choose Melanie to Help with your Hong Kong BN(O) Visa Application?
* I will give you Affordable Expert Advice and Support to submit your Hong Kong BN(O) Visa Application.
* You will get Full Guidance on Satisfying all of the Requirements and ensuring you have the correct Supporting Documents.
* Your Application will be Processed Quickly and Efficiently.
* Your Application will have the Highest Chance of Success .
