UK Hong Kong BNO route visa

Note: As of 30th November 2022 the adult children of HK BNO status holders are now eligible to apply for the BN(O) visa independently of their parent/s.  

The HK BN(O) route is a UK immigration route that was launched on 30th January 2021. There are two pathways under the route: the HK BN(O) status holder route and the HK BN(O) Household member route. If you are granted a visa under either of these routes you can live, study and work in almost any capacity in the UK but you cannot claim public funds.

Eligibility requirements can be found on the UK Government's HK BN(O) visa website where you will also find details about eligibility for family members.  

You can apply to stay for either 2 years and 6 months or 5 years. You can extend the visa as many times as you like.  After you have lived in the UK for 5 years, it may be possible for you to apply to live in the UK permanently.

Healthcare
The visa application is made online and includes mandatory payment of the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). The IHS gives the holder standard access to the UK National Health Service although you may still have to pay for some services e.g. prescriptions, cosmetic surgery, dental services and eye tests.

Fees and funding
Having HK BN(O) immigration status, does not automatically enable access to home fees and student funding options. Holders will have to meet standard eligibility requirements - as per the information held on the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) website here.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS)
In order to study some postgraduate courses (particularly around Engineering, Science and Technology) you will need to be granted an ATAS certificate before you can start your studies. The application is free and is made online but it can take 4-8 weeks to receive the certificate so please plan ahead. We have comprehensive guidance to help you with your ATAS application.  

The HK BN(O) application is completed online. To start the application process visit the UK Government's HK BN(O) visa pages. 

Wherever possible, your identify will be verified using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ App which you will need to download to your ‘phone or electronic device. This App ‘reads’ the biometric chip embedded inside your BN(O), HKSAR or EU passport. You will be asked to take a selfie photo as part of the process. At the start of the application process you will be prompted to download the App and further information about how to use the App will be given to you on screen as you move through the application process.

Please note: applications made using the App will not be issued with a Biometric Residence Card (BRP). Instead you will be given a digital immigration status that can be viewed and proved online - see the section 'Proving your digital immigration status' below for further information.

If you are not able to verify your ID using the App, you will need to attend an appointment at a Visa Application Centre (VAC). During the appointment your biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) will be taken. You book your appointment during the online visa application process and should be aware that it could incur an additional cost. This cost varies, it will be clear how much it is during the process and, if payment is necessary, you will need a debit or credit card in order to book the appointment.

Please note: applications made via a VAC will result in you being issued with a Biometric Residence Card (BRP) which you will collect once you arrive in the UK.

Please see the Fees and Documents section below for further information around evidence required. 

Can I switch into the HK BN(O) route?

Yes, if you meet the HK BN(O) eligibility requirements, you can switch into the HK BN(O) route from within the UK. Any family members will need to apply at the same time.

Application process

The HK BN(O) application is completed online. To start the application process visit the UK Government's HK BN(O) visa pages. 

Wherever possible, your identify will be verified using the ‘UK Immigration: ID Check’ App which you will need to download to your ‘phone or electronic device. This App ‘reads’ the biometric chip embedded inside your BN(O), HKSAR or EU passport. You will be asked to take a selfie photo as part of the process. At the start of the application process you will be prompted to download the App and further information about how to use the App will be given to you on screen as you move through the application process.

Please note: applications made using the App will not be issued with a Biometric Residence Card (BRP). Instead you will be given a digital immigration status that can be viewed and proved online - see the section 'Proving your digital immigration status' below for further information.

If you are not able to verify your ID using the App, you will need to attend an appointment at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) point. During the appointment your biometric information (fingerprints and photograph) will be taken. You book your appointment at the end of the online application process and should be aware that it could incur an additional cost. This cost varies, it will be clear how much it is during the process and, if payment is necessary, you will need a debit or credit card in order to book the appointment.

Please note: applications made via a VAC will result in you being issued with a Biometric Residence Card (BRP).

Please see the Fees and Documents section below for further information around evidence required.

Everyone must to pay the visa application fee and the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) as part of the application process are. Some applications may also need to pay an appointment booking fee if attendance at a visa centre is required. All fees will need to be paid by credit or debit card as part of the online application process. Your application will be classed as ‘submitted’ as soon as you have paid both the visa application and the IHS fees - so only pay those once you are happy your application is correct.

The visa application fee for making an HK BN(O) application is the same for both overseas and in UK applications. Costs will vary depending of whether you are applying for a 2.5 or 5 year visa. You can find the most up to date application fees and IHS charges on the HK BN(O) visa website. 

Appointment booking fee. If you are unable to use the ‘UK Immigration@ ID Check’ App to verify your identity, you may have to pay to book an appointment to submit your biometrics. Sometimes free appointments are available (in the UK) but you may have to pay £60+ per appointment. The cost will be displayed as part of the application process. You might be able to pay more for a quicker appointment. If this is an option it will be offered as part of the online application process.

Documents

You will need to prepare supporting documents to submit along with your visa application.  The documents you need will depend on your circumstances but might include :

• evidence of your indentity e.g. passport
• evidence of your status as a BN(O) status holder or your relationship to a BN(O) family member/s
• evidence of where you live
• proof you have enough money to support yourself and any family members
• TB test certificate (if applicable)

For the most up to date guidance on which documents you will need to submit please read the information on the Gov.UK HK BN(O) documents website.  

How long will the application take to process?

UKVI state that you should get a decision within 12 weeks - though you may have to wait longer at peaks times of the year. If you attended an appointment at a visa application centre (VAC) as part of the process and are expecting a Biometric Residence permit, these normally take an additional 4-8 weeks after decision to be produced for collection. 

'Dependant' family members

The HK BN(O) route allows you to apply for ‘dependant’ status for your family members, if they normally live with you. A dependant is a close relative, which can include:

• husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
• 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

When you apply, you and your family member will need to provide evidence of your relationship and that you normally live together (please see the fees and documents section above). They will also need to pay the visa application and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fees.

It is usual that dependant family members need to apply at the same time as the BN(O). Each applicant will need to submit their own application for but the main BN(O) applicant will need to submit their application first in order to get their application number. This is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN). Family members will use this application number in their own applications and all the applications will be processed together. Family members must submit their applications within 2 days of the main BN(O) application being submitted. Family members cannot usually apply after the main BN(O) applicant has received their application decision.

Dependants can apply separately from the BN(O) when there has been a new relationship/marriage or new child is born into the family. 

How do 'dependant' family members apply?

Each family member needs to submit their own application under the standard HK BN(O) route process. Please see the sections above for details on the application process, application fees and documents. Further information about the visa can be found on the Gov.uk website and we also have Families- International Students information which has general advice and guidance around moving to Swansea with your family.

Adult children 

Adult children of BN(O) citizens are now able to apply independantly of their parent and other family members under the 'household member' route. 

If you are granted the HK BN(O) visa and you used the UK Immigration : ID Check App when you submitted your application your visa will be issued in the form is digital immigration status and you will not receive any physical document such as a BRP. You will receive an email telling you that your application has been decided and this will contain instructions about how to access and share your digital immigration status. Read all emails from the Home Office UKVI carefully and keep then in a safe place where you can easily find it in the future.

Proving your immigration status after it is granted

After your immigration has been decided, you will continue to be able to get into your personal UKVI immigration account from where you will view and prove your immigration status.

To log into your immigration account you will need:

• the identity document (passport or BRP) that you used to create the account and make your immigration application
• your date of birth
• access to the mobile phone or email address you used to create the account and make your immigration application

Once  logged into your account you can generate a share code. This code can be shared with employers, the University or anyone else who needs to check your right to work, study or reside in the UK. The code has an expiry date on it but you can generate as many as you need. This code can be entered into the Home Office system by a 3rd party in order to verify your immigration status.

When might I need to provide my status code?

You may be asked to prove your status in the UK in the following situations:

• Enrolling on a course of study
• Accessing the National Health Service
• Applying for a job
• Renting accommodation
• Applying for a bank account or mortgage

If you are applying for a job, it might be worth mentioning that you have been granted permission to live/work/study in the UK under the HK BN(O) Route, and can provide a share code within your job application. This may help to reassure employers that you have the ongoing right to work.

Please note: it is very important that you keep your details, such as your current passport number and contact details up to date on your UKVI Immigration Account.  Failure to do so may mean you have difficulty getting back into your account to generate verification codes or you may experience problems when passing through immigration control at the airport.

In order to study some postgraduate courses (particularly around Engineering, Science and Technology) you will need to be granted an ATAS certificate before you can start your studies.

The application is free and is made online but it can take 4-8 weeks to receive so please plan ahead. We have comprehensive guidance to help you with your ATAS application.