NEW HONG KONG BN(O) VISA
Following the announcement today, the UK government has officially announced the Hong Kong BN(O) visa for BN(O) citizens and their close family members from January 2021.
What do we know?
- You can apply under this route from outside or inside the UK.
- You can apply for an initial 30 months visa that is extendable for a further 30 months. Alternatively, you can apply for a single period of 5 years.
- You will be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after completing 5 years of residency (while it is not yet confirmed, It is assumed that you will need to meet the absences requirements);
- You must be able to accommodate and support yourself and your family financially for at least 6 months;
- Commitment to learning English where appropriate;
- Obtain Tuberculosis test from approved clinics in Hong Kong;
- You will need to pay for Immigration Health Surcharge fees;
- You will be able to work and study, but you won’t have access to public funds.
The route is set to begin from January 2021 and you only need to show that you have a BN(O) status – no valid BN(O) passport is required as part of this application. You must also normally live in Hong Kong.
Visit visa
For those who are not eligible to enter the UK under an existing immigration route now, the Border Force Officers may be able to consider granting ‘ Leave Outside the Rules’ at the border for a period of 6 months to you and your accompanying dependants.
You must show:
- Your identity
- Your BN(O) citizen status
- Your residential documents in Hong Kong (e.g. HKID, HK Medical Card, voter’s card, tax record, rent or mortgage payments)
- Financial proof that you are able to accommodate yourself and your family for 6 months (e.g. Bank statements showing savings, evidence of regular income, investment details, an offer of employment in the UK)
What you can and cannot do
As a person with ‘Leave Outside the Rules’ you and your dependents can:
- work
- study
You cannot:
- get public funds
- use the NHS for free (except for free services)
Please note that the above information is developing and we will continue to update this page.
Sincere Immigration
