🇭🇰🇬🇧 Hong Kong BNO visa to settle in the United Kingdom

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Known as a ‘Hong Kong visa’, it is actually a UK visa category that starts on 31 January 2021. It allows to live and work in the UK, eventually offering settlement and full British Citizenship. There is no minimum income requirements, no cap on number of applicants, no minimum qualification level etc. You do not need a job offer before coming to the UK - you can look for a job once here. 


Who is eligible? 

Hong Kong residents who have (or had) a British National (Overseas) passport, often called BNO or BN(O). This status was given when Hong Kong was handed over from Britain to China on 1 July 1997. It is not possible to obtain this status now, although no status is not the same as no valid BNO passport. Note: it is only for the BNOs who are still residing in Hong Kong or for those who are already residing in the UK. We are often approached by BNO passport holders who since emigrated from Hong Kong to, say, Australia, so they won't be eligible. 


If you are in Hong Kong: 

You can come to the UK as a visitor, without a visa, and then switch into this status (after 31 January 2021). 


If you are already in the UK: 

You can switch from your current status to this new category from 31 January 2021. If your current UK visa expires before that, you may be able to apply outside the Rules and then switch ‘properly’ after 31 January 2021. 


Family members: 

Your immediate family can join, i.e. a spouse, unmarried partner, children under 18 years of age. Adult children born after 1 July 1997, and therefore aren't eligible for a BN(O) status in their own right, can also join if they are part of your household, as can their immediate family too. Alternatively, Hong Kong SRA passport holders can come on a Tier 5 YMS visa (aged up to 30) and look for options to stay here, such as for a company to sponsor for a work visa or to remain with a British partner. 

There is an interesting condition: all family members must apply at the same time as the main BN(O) migrant. 


As always, we are here to help! To get in touch - simply reply to this email or contact via the usual phone numbers. To discuss your situation one-to-one with an Immigration Lawyer, book an online consultation here. 


1st 4Immigration team 


1st 4Immigration is one of the most experienced UK immigration law companies, OISC - accredited at the highest Level 3. We have been in business for over 10 years, our OISC reference is 200800152, in which 2008 stands for the year accreditation. Office: Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, London, EC2N 1HN. www.1st4immigration.com 

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