Explore British National Overseas Visa

The BNO (British National Overseas) Visa allows British nationals citizens staying in Hong Kong to live, study and work in the UK. This visa is also known as the “BNO 5+1” visa as the people with such visas can apply for indefinite leave to remain in UK after five years and after a further one year they can also apply for British Citizenship provided they meet all the eligibility requirements. Explore the guide below to know more about British Nationals Overseas visas such as the eligibility criteria, documents required, validity, application fees, etc.

What is a British National Overseas Visa?

Candidates who are from Hong Kong and are British Nationals then they can apply for a British National Overseas visa. Children who are more than 18 years of age and are born after 1st July 1997 can apply separately from their parents. Individuals can apply for this visa when they are overseas but they will have to wait for a decision before they travel to the UK. 

Check the Step-by-Step Guide to British Visa

Eligibility Criteria for British National Overseas

The candidates can apply for BNO (British National Overseas) if they are 18 years older and either:

• A British National (Overseas)
• The child of a British National (Overseas) born on or after 1st July 1997

The permanent home address must be:

• In Hong Kong if they are applying from outside the UK 
• In the UK, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Hong Kong if they are applying in the UK

Family Members

The members of the family can apply for BNO if they are eligible provided they must apply at the same time as their students unless they are partners or their child is under the age of 18. 

Documents Required to Apply for British National Overseas

Check below the list of documents that are required to apply for British National Overseas:

• The candidates are required to give proof that they have a permanent home in Hong Kong, the UK, the Channel of Islands, or the Isle of Man
• They should have sufficient funds to support themselves and their family 
• Please provide evidence of their relationship with their family members
• Evidence of Tuberculosis Test certificate 

Candidates who are applying as a child of British National Overseas are required to prove that either of their parents has BNO status. They are also required to provide:

• The parent’s recent or expired passport
• They need an adoption or birth certificate to prove the relationship

Validity of British National Overseas

The candidates can apply to stay for either:

• 2 years and 6 months
• 5 years

The candidates will be able to extend their visa once they are in the UK in case they want to stay longer. They can apply to extend their visa as many times as they want to. After the candidates have lived in the UK for five years they can apply to live permanently in the UK.

Allowances & Restrictions of British National Overseas

Check below what the candidates are allowed to do and what they are not allowed to do:

Allowances

• The individuals can work (except they cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach)
• They can study (including at school, college, or university)

Restrictions

• They will not get most of the benefits such as public funds 

In case they get the BNO they will get access to most of the benefits such as:

• If they do not have a place to live and they cannot afford one
• They have a place to live but cannot afford the basic living costs like food or heating
• They are at risk of losing their place to live or not being able to afford essential living costs
• They have a very low income and do not have access to most benefits that would harm the child’s benefits.

Know About National Overseas Scholarship Scheme Eligibility

British National Overseas  Application Fees

Check below the application fees for a BNO visa:

• £180 if they are applying for 2 years and 6 months
• £250 if they are applying for 5 years

Healthcare Surcharge 

The students and their family members are required to pay the healthcare surcharge fees as:

For Adults:

• £2,587.50 if you’re staying for 2 years and 6 months
• £5,175 if you’re staying for 5 years

For each child (under 18), it costs:

• £1,940 if you’re staying for 2 years and 6 months
• £3,880 if you’re staying for 5 years

Check National Overseas Scholarship 2023: Eligibility, Application

FAQs

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