BNO Visa (British National (Overseas) — 2025 Complete Guide (Eligibility, Fees, How to Apply, Settlement & FAQs)

Quick AI summary

A BNO (British National (Overseas)) visa lets eligible BN(O) passport holders from Hong Kong — and their qualifying family members — live, work and study in the UK, with a route to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years and British citizenship after a further 12 months. Applicants choose a 2.5-year or 5-year visa; both require a visa fee plus the Immigration Health Surcharge. The scheme opened in January 2021 and by March 2025 tens of thousands have settled under it. GOV.UK+

• Who: BN(O) passport holders from Hong Kong and eligible family members.
• Main benefit: Live, work, study in UK + route to ILR after 5 years.
• Visa lengths: 2 years 6 months (30 months) or 5 years; fees differ.
• Healthcare surcharge (IHS) added to application — significant cost.
• Stats (to Mar 2025): ~179,258 BN(O) visas granted; ~163,400 arrivals since scheme opened.

1. What is the BNO visa?

The BNO visa (British National (Overseas) visa) is a UK immigration route introduced for Hong Kong BN(O) passport holders. It allows BN(O) holders and qualifying family members to live, work and study in the UK. The route was first opened on 31 January 2021. GOV.UK

2. Who is eligible?

• Primary applicants: people who hold a BN(O) passport. The visa is intended for BN(O) holders who are, or have recently been, resident in Hong Kong. GOV.UK
• Family members: partners, children and some other dependents (each applicant must satisfy their own eligibility). See gov.uk’s “your family members” guidance. GOV.UK

Important: BN(O) nationality is a specific British nationality class — it was granted to people from Hong Kong before 1997. Holding BN(O) status (and the passport) is required to use this route. GOV.UK

3. What rights does the BNO visa give you?

Holders can live, work and study in the UK. They do not automatically have access to public funds (welfare benefits). Visa holders must pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) to use the NHS. After meeting residency requirements they may apply for settlement (ILR). GOV.UK+1

4. Visa types, fees & healthcare surcharge (2025 figures)

You can apply for either:

• 2 years 6 months (30 months) permission or
• 5 years permission.

Visa application fee

• £193 for 2 years 6 months.
• £268 for 5 years.

Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

• Adult (18+): £2,587.50 for 30 months; £5,175 for 5 years.
• Child (under 18): £1,940 for 30 months; £3,880 for 5 years.

Example costs (exact totals vary per family):

• Single adult, 5-year route ≈ £5,443 (visa £268 + IHS £5,175).
• Single adult, 2.5-year route ≈ £2,780.50 (visa £193 + IHS £2,587.50).
• Family of 4 (2 adults, 2 children) on 5-year visas — total initial visa + IHS ≈ £19,182. (Breakdown: visa fees 4×£268 = £1,072; IHS 2×£5,175 + 2×£3,880 = £18,110). GOV.UK

Fee waivers: in limited circumstances (financial hardship, certain humanitarian/family routes) applicants may apply for a fee/IHS waiver — this must be requested before applying and requires evidence.

5. Path to settlement and citizenship

• Settlement (ILR): You can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 continuous years in the UK on the BN(O) route. You can apply 28 days before the 5-year date; usually you must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12-month period (exceptions apply).
• British citizenship: After ILR, most people can apply for naturalisation after a further 12 months (subject to Life in the UK test, English language requirements and other eligibility rules). Check gov.uk for detailed residency, knowledge and language requirements before applying.

Note (June 2025): immigration policy is politically sensitive and proposals affecting the route to citizenship or length of residence required to naturalise may be discussed or introduced; always check the official gov.uk pages for the latest requirements before you apply.

6. Documents & application steps (practical checklist)

Typical steps & documents required when applying from outside the UK:

1. Apply online via the official gov.uk application form for the Hong Kong BN(O) visa.
2. Pay visa fee & IHS online as part of the application.
3. Book biometrics appointment (fingerprints & photo) at a visa application centre.
4. Documents to upload/bring (check gov.uk for the full, personalised list): BN(O) passport, evidence of residency in Hong Kong (if requested), proof of relationship for dependants, financial evidence to show you can support yourself for at least 6 months (unless you have lived in the UK for 12 months or more), tuberculosis test (if required), translations for non-English documents, and any fee waiver paperwork if claiming one.

Tip: the gov.uk page includes a printable checklist — follow it closely to avoid delays.

7. Processing times & arrival data (what the numbers show)

• The BN(O) route opened 31 January 2021. Grants and arrivals peaked in the first year and have declined since. As of the year ending March 2025:
  • 185,478 out-of-country BN(O) visa applications (total since opening).
  • 179,258 out-of-country visas granted.
  • Around 163,400 people have arrived in the UK on the BN(O) route (rounded).

Processing times vary by country and application volume — check the gov.uk service pages and local visa centre guidance for current processing estimates and any priority services.

8. Common mistakes & how to avoid them

• Missing IHS payment or under-estimating the cost — the IHS is charged per person and per period; include it in your budget. GOV.UK
• Insufficient evidence of finances for initial 6 months (unless you’ve lived in the UK 12+ months): provide clear bank statements, payslips or sponsorship evidence.
• Not checking continuous residence rules before applying for ILR — long absences can affect eligibility.

9. Practical tips (settling in the UK)

• Register for National Insurance and open a UK bank account early.
• Apply for NHS registration with a GP after arrival. (IHS gives access to NHS services but certain costs remain.)
• Use local councils’ “Welcome” guides for BN(O) visa holders — gov.uk lists a dedicated welcome guide for Hong Kong BN(O) visa holders.

10. Latest policy notes (June 2025)

• The BN(O) route remains available and unchanged in core structure as of March 2025, but immigration policy can change. Keep an eye on official gov.uk pages and Home Office statistics for the newest updates. Major policy changes (e.g., shifts in settlement or naturalisation rules) are often announced in Parliament or Home Office releases — always rely on official sources for final decisions.