October 2026
Hong Kong BN(O) Visa: 5-Year Path to Settle
Last updated
What This Program Is
The Hong Kong BN(O) visa is a UK immigration route created for people who hold British National (Overseas) status, along with their close family members. It gives eligible applicants a legal way to relocate from Hong Kong to the UK as a family, rather than applying one by one through separate visa routes.
How It Works for You
Most successful applicants are granted permission to stay for either 5 years or 30 months, renewable where needed. During this time, you can work in almost any job and study in the UK, and after 5 continuous years on a route that leads to settlement, you can apply for permanent settlement. From there, applying for British citizenship is often possible after a further qualifying period, so it's worth checking the current requirement on GOV.UK.
Who It's For
This route suits BN(O) status holders and their dependent partners, children, and in some cases other close relatives who want to move together rather than separately. It's especially useful for families who don't have a UK job offer lined up, since this route doesn't require employer sponsorship the way most work visas do.
What are the benefits of the Hong Kong BN(O) visa?
It lets you and your close family live, work, and study in the UK without needing a job offer or a sponsoring employer. It also offers a clear, multi-year path to settlement and eventually British citizenship, which gives families long-term certainty.
What documents do I need?
You'll generally need your BN(O) passport or evidence of BN(O) status, a current passport, and proof of your relationship to the main applicant if you're applying as a partner or child. Always confirm the full, current document list on the official GOV.UK immigration rules page before you apply.
Check Your Eligibility for the Hong Kong BN(O) Visa →
95 successful applicationsfor this program
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