Hong Kong BN(O) Visa
Applying to come to the UK from Hong Kong.
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- Fixed Fees- No Hidden Costs
- High Success Rate – Proven Track Record
- Legal 500 Top Tier Firm
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What is the Hong Kong BNO Visa?
The Hong Kong BNO visa is a visa from British National Overseas status holders and their families. The visas allows British National Overseas status holders to live in the UK for up to five years. At the end of that time, most visa holders will be able to apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK. Eligible applicants must be living in Hong Kong or the United Kingdom.
British National Overseas status is a special type of British nationality that was available to people who had ties to Hong Kong before July 1997. Eligible people had to register in order to get British National Overseas status. Registration closed in 1997 so it is no longer possible to register for this status.
Who is eligible for the Hong Kong BNO Visa?
The following groups can apply independently of anybody else;
- British National Overseas status holders
- Their children who are over 18 years old but who were born after 1st July 1979
The following family members of a British National Overseas status holders can also apply. However, if it is their first application the British National Overseas status holders must also be applying at the same time, or already have a BNO visa, or have been a BNO and since become a British citizen.
- Their spouse or partner,
- Their children who are under 18 years old
- Their partner’s children who are under 18 years old
- An adult relative who needs care due to old age, illness or disability
- Grandchildren who live in the household in some cases
The following family members of an adult child of a British National Overseas status holder born after July 1997 can also apply. However, if it is their first application the British National Overseas status holders must also be applying at the same time, or already have a BNO visa, or have been a BNO and since become a British citizen
- An adult relative who needs care due to old age, illness or disability
- Their spouse or partner,
- Their children who are under 18 years old
- Their partner’s children who are under 18 years old
Why Choose OTB Legal as your Hong Kong BNO Visa Solicitors?
At OTB Legal, we’re proud to be recognised among the UK’s top immigration law firms — a distinction that reflects our deep expertise and proven success in handling Hong Kong BNO Visa applications.
- Award-Winning Service: With multiple awards recognising our dedication and results, we are committed to securing the best possible outcome for your Hong Kong BNO Visa application.
- Leading Expertise: Named a Leading Firm by Chambers and Partners 2024, and ranked as a Top-Tier Firm in the Legal 500 2025, our solicitors are trusted industry leaders in UK immigration law.
- Specialist Focus: We specialise in Hong Kong BNO Visa applications and family immigration, giving you expert guidance tailored specifically to your unique situation.
- Client Satisfaction: Our clients consistently praise our clear communication, personalised approach, and excellent value for money, as seen in top ratings on Review Solicitors.
How do I apply for a Hong Kong BNO Visa?
All BNO visa applications are made online. There are two ways to do this.
If you have a BNO passport, a Hong Kong SAR passport or an EU passport, you can apply using the immigration ID checking app. After you confirm your identity using the appeal ,you can complete an application form and submit it online. You can then directly upload your supporting documents to the Home Office. Applicants applying from inside the Uk who are switching from a different visa may also be able to use the app, even if they do not hold one of the relevant passports. If you are not able to use the immigration ID checking app then you can set up and create an online from by following the relevant link from the government website. Once the application form is drafted and submitted, you much attend a biometric appointment to confirm your identity and submit your biometrics. This is conducted by a third-party contractor. You will also have to upload your supporting documents to the third-party website.
How long can I stay in the UK with a BNO Visa?
When you apply for the Hong Kong BNO visa you can choose to apply for 2.5 years or 5 years in one application. However, you can apply to extend your visa when it is near to expiring in order to spend a longer time on the Hong Kong BNO visa. You might need to do this if you have spent more than 180 days in any rolling 12 month period outside the United Kingdom and cannot apply for indefinite leave to remain.
How can a Hong Kong BNO Visa Solicitor help me with my application?
A solicitor can help with a Hong Kong BNO application. A solicitor can discuss your personal circumstances with you to see if you are eligible to be granted a BNO visa. A solicitor can explain the key legal requirements that you have to meet to get the visa and what documents you should provide as evidence. A solicitor can help you to follow the correct process to go through the submit your BNO visa application and provide all the evidence to the Home Office. A solicitor can advise on any potential problems and provide a strategy to deal with them where possible.
Thinking of Applying for a Hong Kong BNO Visa?
Our experienced immigration lawyers at OTB Legal are here to guide you every step of the way. Whether you’re just starting your application or need help with specific requirements, we’ll provide clear, practical advice tailored to your situation.
Fill out the form below and one of our team will get back to you quickly with a personalised response.
What are the financial requirements for the Hong Kong BNO Visa?
Where an application for a Hong Kong BNO visa is made from outside the UK, then the financial requirement is to show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family for the first six months in the United Kingdom. The exact amount that you need will vary depending on how many people are in the family unit, where you will live and the cost of accommodation and other essentials. If you do not have accommodation arranged, the Home Office will make assumptions about how much housing is likely to cost. They will check that you will have more money left after these costs to have the same amount as a person in the UK on certain benefits.
The immigration rules are quite flexible about how you show that you can fund your living costs for the first six months.
If you already live in the UK and have lived here for 12 months or more, you will usually meet the financial requirement automatically.
Can 18 year olds apply for a BNO Visa without their parents?
If an 18 year old has a parent who is a BNO national then they can apply for a Hong Kong BNO visa without their parent also applying. However, the 18 year old will need to prove that their parent is a BNO national when they make their application.
How we work – including our transparent pricing
We find that our 3 stage system of working with clients gives everyone the greatest clarity on what can be achieved, how it will happen and how much it will cost. You can learn more about our 3 stage system here. See the pricing for our Hong Kong BNO Visa Solicitor services below:
Assess
Free Consultation – £0.00
The Assessment Stage helps us identify the right application for you. You’ll speak with one of our experienced Lawyers and there’s no obligation to proceed further. By the end, you’ll have a clear plan outlining your options, costs, and the likelihood of a successful outcome.
Advice
£480 (inc 20% VAT where applicable)
For a fixed fee, you receive specialist legal advice, clear written guidance, and a tailored document list, giving you a strong strategy for success. After the Advice Stage, you can submit the application yourself or ask us to handle it. You stay fully in control throughout.
Application
£1,200 – £1,440 depending on the complexity of the matter. (inc 20% VAT where applicable)
A full review of your documents, help completing the online form, preparation of a tailored evidence bundle, and a detailed legal cover letter. We represent you through to the final decision and advise on any next steps. A premium service is available at a 50% increase to the standard fee.
Book now and receive:
- Personalised Case Appointment: Speak to a member of our team to gain confirmation on if we can assist with your specific legal needs in a free consultation.
- Specialist Appointment Booking: Get matched with a lawyer with specialist expertise as soon as possible.
- Exceptional Client Care: Work with experienced legal professionals delivering a clear plan of action and outstanding support every step of the way.
Schedule a FREE appointment
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can work on the Hong Kong BNO visa. This includes being employed or self-employed and you can start your own business. You can also work full time or part time. The only limitation is that you cannot be employed as a professional sportsperson or coach on the Hong Kong BNO visa.
If you spend five years living in the UK on the BNO visa, you can usually apply for indefinite leave to remain. Most adults aged under 65 will need to pass the Life in the UK Test and an Secure English Language Test in speaking and listening at level B1 of the CERF Framework. There are certain tests that are approved by the Home office to meet this test or you may be able to meet it if you have a university degree that was taught in English or if you are also the national of a majority English speaking country.
Once you have indefinite leave to remain, you must live in the UK for a further 12 months. At the end of those 12 months, BNO nationals can apply to register as British. Non-BNO national adults can apply to naturalise as British. Children will also usually be able to register as British with their parents.
If your Hong Kong BNO visa is refused, you should seek legal advice urgently. It is important to understand why the application was refused before you decide what steps to take. You will usually be able to ask for an administrative review of the refusal. However, these take 12 months or more to be considered and for many people this is too long to wait. You can also re-apply for the Hong Kong BNO visa if there was an issue that you can correct.
If your Hong Kong BNO visa application is refused and you do not apply for administrative review, the Home Office should refund any immigration health surcharge that you paid to the bank card from which it was paid. You will not get a refund of the visa application fee or for any priority fee paid.
The cost of a Hong Kong BNO visa varies depending on how long you apply for and also whether the applicant is an adult or a child. It will also depend on whether you choose to use any type of priority service.
An adult applying for a 2.5 year visa will pay £206 visa application fee + £2587.50 immigration health surcharge, a total of £2793.50.
A child applying for a 2.5 year visa will pay £206 visa application fee + £1935 immigration health surcharge, a total of £2141.
An adult applying for a 5 year visa will pay £285 visa application fee + £5175 immigration health surcharge, a total of £5460.
A child applying for a 5 year visa will pay £206 visa application fee + £3870 immigration health surcharge, a total of £4076.
Priority service costs £500 per person. The Home Office will usually consider your application within 5 working days.
Super priority service costs £1000 per person. The Home Office will usually consider your application within 1 working day.
Priority services are not always appropriate for more complex cases and the Home Office will not always meet these deadlines if they consider the case complex for some reason. Priority services are also subject to availability.
Our Expert Hong Kong BNO Visa Solicitors:
Join countless satisfied clients and work with our expert Hong Kong BNO Visa Solicitors today:
PC
Highly recommended Lydia! After my BNO visa refusal, her expertise and persistence secured approval. Brilliant strategist, clear communicator, tenacious advocate. Turned despair into success.
Richard
Tremendous balance of professionalism and care, assurance, understanding and support in providing services likely due to her experience and character. Excellent in working with, and providing legal and procedural guidance to, us at the critical stages of the application from the first consultation, to the preparation, submission and handling of request for further information throughout the application process, which reduced client stress and anxiety associated with such application. Would have no hesitation to engage her again and highly recommend her to other applicants and generally for other services which she may also provide for the firm.
Client
We are extremely grateful to Lydia and her Team for their professional guidance and efficiency throughout our BNO ILR application process. Their communication was clean and reassuring. We highly recommend their excellent legal service.
FREE GUIDE
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Contact Us
Not quite ready to book an appointment yet or unsure if it’s the right step for you? No worries! We understand that making decisions regarding legal matters can be daunting.
Reach out to our Client Engagement Lead, Konrad, who will be more than happy to assist you and guide you in the right direction.
Your peace of mind matters to us, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Contact Konrad today for personalised guidance and assistance.
Find out more about Hong Kong BNO Visas with the following useful links:
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Routes to British Citizenship for BN(O) Holders and Their Children
Routes to British Citizenship for BN(O) Holders and Their Children: Section 4B, 4(2) & More Explained Before the handover of Hong Kong to China in 1997, the British government opened a voluntary registration process for residents of Hong Kong with British Dependent Territories (BDTC) status to retain a connection with the UK. The scheme was…
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Ordinary Residence requirement for BNO Visas
Understanding the Ordinary Residence requirement for the BNO visa. The Hong Kong BNO visa is quite generous compared to many other types of visa. The fees are low, there is no English language requirement and in some cases it allows applicants to bring grandchildren or their adult relatives who require care. It is also possible…
