Appendix Hong Kong British National (Overseas), also termed BN (O), contains immigration rules for BN (O) looking to apply for a BN (O) visa. This special visa route allows those from Hong Kong with British National (Overseas) status to live, study, and work in the UK. BN (O) status was given to eligible people before the end of 1997. BN (O) status is valid for the entire life of its holders, but it cannot be passed on to spouses or children. It is not possible for anyone to apply for BN (O) status now.
Appendix Hong Kong British National (Overseas) is a section of the UK Immigration Rules. The appendix outlines the suitability, validity, and eligibility criteria; application process; and conditions for individuals applying for a British National (Overseas) visa. The BN (O) route was established to provide a pathway for BN (O) status holders and their eligible family members from Hong Kong to live, work, and study in the UK.
The BN (O) visa route allows individuals holding BN (O) status, along with their immediate family members, to apply for entry clearance or permission to stay in the UK. The visa is typically granted for a period of 30 months or 5 years. It also allows for extension and eventually settlement.
There was a Sino-British joint declaration between China and the UK that guaranteed certain freedoms and autonomy to Hong Kong after the UK handed over Hong Kong to China in 1997. However, the Chinese government imposed the National Security Law in Hong Kong in June 2020. This law was seen as a breach of the Sino-British Joint Declaration by the UK government.
Hence, in response to this, the UK government introduced the British National (Overseas) (BN (O)) visa on 31 January 2021.
The status BN (O) is a form of British nationality. BN (O) status was specially created for people from Hong Kong. The purpose of creating this status was to allow people from Hong Kong to retain a form of British nationality and a connection to the UK after the UK handed over Hong Kong to China in 1997 as a result of the Sino-British Joint Declaration.
You can make a BN (O) visa application if you are 18 or older and you are one of the following:
The following family members can apply as your dependents. You are here as the main applicant holding BN (O) status.
a. Wife, husband, unmarried partner, or civil partner
b. Child or grandchild under 18
c. Partner’s child under 18
d. Adult dependent relative such as a grandparent, parent, sister, brother, daughter, or son (18 or above) who is highly dependent on you due to illness, disability, or age.
Your dependents will need to apply at the same time as you (the main applicant), except for your partner, a child under the age of 18, or an adult dependent relative.
Children who are over 18 may be able to apply if you are a British national (overseas) and they are:
a. Your own child - They will have to apply separately.
b. Your partner’s child - Your partner's child born on or after 1 July 1997 may apply as a dependent. Their partner or child may also apply.
Only individuals from Hong Kong, who have British National (Overseas) status, as well as their family members, can apply for a Hong Kong British National (Overseas) BN (O) visa.
You need to meet the following criteria to be eligible for the BN (O) Visa:
You (the main applicant) must hold British National (Overseas) status. You must have acquired this status before Hong Kong was handed over to China on 1 July 1997. You don’t need to renew your BN (O) passport to apply. Having the status is sufficient. Alternatively, if you were born after 1 July 1997, you may be eligible to apply for a BN (O) visa as the child of a British national (overseas).
If you are applying from outside the UK for entry clearance, you must be ordinarily resident in Hong Kong on the date of application. On the other hand, you must be an ordinary resident in the UK, Hong Kong, the Channel Islands, or the Isle of Man if you are applying for permission to stay from within the UK. This applies to both the primary BN (O) status holder and their dependents.
You must prove that you will be able to support yourself and/or your dependents financially without recourse to public funds for at least 6 months in the UK.
However, if you are already in the UK on another visa for at least 12 months and you want to switch to a Hong Kong British National (Overseas) BN (O) visa now, you don’t need to show sufficient funds to meet the financial requirement.
Similar to financial requirements, you must prove that you have adequate accommodation to house yourself and/or your dependents in the UK.
If you come from a country where taking a TB test is mandatory, you need to provide a TB test certificate to show that you are free from TB.
Follow the below steps to apply for a BN (O) visa:
1. Apply Online - You must apply online using the website gov.uk.
2. Upload the Supporting Documents - You need to scan and upload the supporting documents here.
3. Pay the Visa Fee and IHS Cost - If you are applying for a leave of up to 30 months, you need to pay an IHS (Immigration Health Surcharge) of £193, and if you are applying for a leave of up to 5 years, you need to pay £268.
Additionally, you need to pay an IHS fee of £1,035 per adult per year.
For children below 18, the IHS costs £776 per child per year.
4. Enroll Your Biometric Information - As part of the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) BN (O) visa application, you need to prove your identity. Depending on what type of passport you have, you can prove your identity in one of the following ways:
5. Wait for the Decision - It usually takes 12 weeks to receive a decision from the UKVI on your BN (O) visa application.
6. Receive a Decision - If the UKVI is satisfied with the information and evidence provided by you and you are able to prove your identity, you will be granted a BN (O) visa.
We understand that applying for a Hong Kong British National (Overseas) BN(O) visa is a complex process. Hence, we assist you in navigating through the entire process smoothly. We help you and your family members understand how to meet the eligibility criteria and gather the necessary documents to prove that you meet them. Meeting financial and adequate accommodation requirements is a key requirement for a BN(O) visa. We help you understand how you can meet them as well. Finally, we help you in the application process. Book an apointment now with our UK visa and immigration experts.
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