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 BNO visa independantly of their parent/s.  

The HK BNO route is a UK immigration route that was launched on 30th January 2021. Under this route HK BNO passport holders and/or their family members can apply to work, study and live in the UK.

Eligibility requirements can be found on the UK Government's HK BNO 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 and 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 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 (though you may still have to pay for some services e.g. prescriptions, cosmetic surgery, dental services and eye tests).

Fees and funding
Having HK BNO 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)
Some postgraduate courses (particularly around Engineering, Science and Technology) need you to access a UK government ATAS certificate before study. The application is free and is made online but it can take 4-8 weeks to receive. Therefore, you must apply in good time in order to receive the ATAS and allow you to be enrolled on your course (you cannot be enrolled without it!). You will be notified by the University if you are preparing to study an ATAS course. Further information can be found in the ATAS section below.

Students coming for courses of less than 6 months
If you are coming to the UK to study on a course that is less than 6 months in duration, then it is possible to enter the UK as a Visitor. Please see our comprehensive information on the Standard Visit visa here.

The HK BNO application is completed online and the application process can be started by using the Apply button found on this Gov.uk page.

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 on your BNO, HKSAR or EU passport. You will also be asked to take a photo during the process. Further information about the app and what you need to do, is given to you during the application process.

Please note: applications made using this means will not be issued with a Biometric Residence Card (visa card). 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 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 to pay in order to book the appointment.

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

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

Can I switch into the HK BNO route?

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

Application process

The HK BNO application is completed online and the application process can be started by using the Apply button found on this Gov.uk page.

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 on your BNO, HKSAR or EU passport. You will also be asked to take a photo during the process. Further information about the app and what you need to do, is given to you during the application process.

Please note: applications made using this means will not be issued with a Biometric Residence Card (visa card). 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 during 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 to pay in order to book the appointment.

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

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. 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 HIS fees- so only pay those once you are happy your application is correct.

The visa application fee for making an HK BNO application is the same for both overseas and in UK applications and for each applicant it will be:

Application for 2 years and 6 months: £180
Application for 5 years: £250

You will also need to pay the mandatory Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for each application in order to access the UK National Health Service (NHS). The IHS fees are:

For each adult (18 or older):
Application for 2 years and 6 months: £1,560
Application for 5 years: £3,120

For each child (under 18):
Application for 2 years and 6 months: £1,175
Application for 5 years: £2,350

You will need to work out the cost payable for each applicant and make sure that you are able to cover that with the debit or credit card that you are using. Your application will not go through until the fee and HIS are paid.

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 may be asked if you want to pay more for a quicker appointment. If this is an option it will be offered as part of the online application process.

Documents
Please always check the Gov.UK website for most up to date information. As a guide, all applicants should expect to provide the following documents::

• Valid passport or other travel document that shows your identity and nationality.

Notes: If you are a BNO you can use a valid or expired passport when you apply. If you no longer have a BNO passport you can still apply but your application may take longer as the UK Home Office will need to check your status. You can use any passport or travel document to travel to the UK- it does not have to be your BNO passport.

• Evidence of permanent home address (either in HK or the UK). You will need 3 documents that can include:

o household or utility bills
o a visa, residence permit or other immigration document (or a colour photocopy)
o payslips or your most recent P60
o bank statements
o a letter from an employer confirming your employment
o records of rent or mortgage payments
o an appointment letter from your GP or other healthcare professional
o a letter from the local council or a government

Notes: If applying as a family, you will need to provide evidence that you all have the same permanent address.

• Proof you have enough money to support you and your family for 6 months. At least one of the documents must be dated no more than 31 days before you submit your application. Evidence could include:

o bank or savings account statements
o payslips
o proof of income from self-employment
o proof of income from rental property
o a letter from friends or family with evidence (such as bank statements or payslips) that they have the money to support you and your family
o a letter confirming an offer of accommodation from friends or family
o a tenancy or mortgage agreement

Notes: If applying with family, your evidence can include you and your family’s income or savings. An offer of work does not usually count as evidence unless you’re transferring to a job in the UK with your current employer. If you have already been living in the UK for 12 months, you may not need to show evidence, though we would always recommend that you have it to hand in case requested.

• TB test certificate. If you have been living in HK (or another country that requires a TB certificate) for the past 6 months, you must provide one as part of your application. If you are already in the UK and have either been here for more than 6 months or provided a TB certificate to come to the UK within the last 6 months, then you will not need to provide a TB Certificate with this application.

Notes: Your TB certificate must not be more than 6 months old and must have been obtained from an approved TB testing centre overseas or in the UK.

• Evidence of your relationship with family members (you only need this if you are applying with members of your household). If you are applying with family members, you will need to evidence your relationships. Evidence could include:

o A copy of a marriage or civil partnership certificate
o A birth certificate or adoption certificate for children
o Evidence that their permanent home address is the same as yours

How long will the application take?

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 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. 

The HK BNO route allows you to apply for ‘dependant’ status for your family members, if they normally live with you. A dependant 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 fees.

It is usual that family members need to apply at the same time as the BNO. Each applicant will need to submit their own application but the main (BNO) 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 BNO application being submitted. Family members cannot usually apply after the main BNO applicant has received their application decision.

When can applications be made separately?
It is possible to make an application separately where there has been a new relationship/marriage, or a new child born into the family, after the initial HK BNO status was granted.

How do family members apply?
Each family member needs to submit their own application under the standard HK BNO route process. Please see the sections above regarding how to apply and fees and documents for guidance.

Further information about the visa can be found on the Gov.uk website and we also have a downloadable Information for Families guide- which has general advice and guidance around moving to Swansea with your family.

ATAS is the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) run Academic Technology Approval Scheme. It requires postgraduate students, who are studying certain courses in the fields of science, engineering or technology, to gain a certificate of approval to study before they can be granted a visa to study, or continue studying, in the UK.

This is a requirement for all temporary visa holders: Student; Work visa and BNO visa and dependant visa holders.  If your chosen course requires ATAS, you will not be able to enrol on your course unless you have applied for and received the ATAS Certificate.

If you enrolled on your current course using a Student visa and now want to switch to the BNO visa, you will have received an email notification with your course offer letter explaining the need for ATAS clearance and your CAS statement will also have stated whether ATAS was needed. Provided the course details remain the same e.g. same course title, level, content and course end date, your previous ATAS certificate will still be valid. 

However if there have been changes to your course or you start a new course in the future you will need to re-apply for new ATAS clearance in order to be enrolled using a BNO visa. 

If you are a Doctoral or Masters by Research student and you have received a Common Aggregation Hierarchy (CAH) code (the code will be a mix of letters and digits) with your offer letter or CAS statement, you can check this code on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office webpage:  Find out if I need an ATAS Certificate

• How can I get my ATAS certificate?

You will need to make your ATAS application online via the FCO website, the application is free and the website has comprehensive guidance on making the application which you should follow carefully.

You will need to have your offer letter and/or CAS statement/ATAS email to hand and these should have the CAH code of the course you will be studying. You will also need the following information to fill in the form:

• your full name and contact details
• passport details
• name and nationality of your spouse/partner (if applicable)
• full details of any previous and current employment (if applicable)
• the programme of study you are applying to follow in the UK (including CAH code)
• for a PhD or Masters by research: your full research proposal and not just the title
• for a taught Masters: details of the optional modules you anticipate taking
• full details of published papers (if applicable)
• previous ATAS applications (if applicable)
• names and contact details of two referees. You must have known both of your referees for at least three years. At least one of these must be an academic from your country of origin
• details of how you will be funding your studies

You will not be asked to submit or attach any documentation to support your ATAS application.

• How long will it take to get my ATAS certificate?

Between April and September each year there are often significant delays with the processing of ATAS application and the FCO team appreciate your patience at these times. Processing times for applications will be at least 30 working days (6 weeks) from date of submission. The FCO ATAS team have stated on the gov.uk website that they will not respond to any queries made until at least 30 working days have passed since the ATAS application was submitted.

The standard processing time for ATAS applications outside of the peak period between April and September is around 20 working days (4 weeks). You will be sent an initial email acknowledging your application and a further email, within 20 working days, with the result of your application, including an ATAS certificate, if approved.

Please plan ahead and apply for your ATAS clearance as early as possible to avoid any delays to your course enrolment. 

If you have not heard anything within the stated processing time, check that your inbox is not full (and therefore rejecting messages frm ATAS) and please also check your ‘Spam’ and 'Junk' folders to make sure that messages has not been filtered out.

You can contact the ATAS Team if you are concerned you have missed their response but they will not respond if the advertised processing time has not yet elapsed.

• How can I make sure that my ATAS application is not subject to delays?

The main reasons why ATAS applications are delayed are:

• Applicants using initials instead of full names
• Not including a reference from their home country
• Incorrect or missing passport details
• Wrong or missing CAH codes
• Wrong or missing research statements

Make sure that you include all of this required information when you apply!

• What happens if I change my start or end date?

  If your course start date is more than 6 months after the ATAS has been issued, or if your course end date has changed by more than 3 months you will need to make a new ATAS application. You will need to make this application within 28 days of being notified of the change. Failure to make a new application could lead to problems with any immigration applications you make and could mean the University is unable to enrol you onto your course.

• What if I make a change to my course?

 An 'ATAS certificate is issued for a specific course with a named Student sponsor (i.e. Swansea University) and remains valid as long as the Student sponsor and/or course details do not change, including the length of the course’. This means that you must apply for a new ATAS certificate if you:

1. change your course;
2. change your institution; or
3. apply to extend your leave in order to complete your course.

• What do I do when I have my ATAS certificate?

Once you have obtained your ATAS certificate you should either forward a copy of your ATAS to the International Admissions team (for new courses) or take/email a printed copy to MyUniHub (continuing students).  You will then be able to access a CAS or Visa Letter to complete your immigration application. Make sure you include a copy in your visa application and bring a printed copy to enrolment.

Possession of an ATAS certificate does not guarantee your visa application will be successful, but your application will automatically be refused if you need an ATAS certificate but do not provide one.

• What happens if my ATAS application is unsuccessful?

If your ATAS application is unsuccessful, please email the international @campuslife team for advice.