UK BNO Visa Checklist

The BNO visa is the route for British national (overseas) status holders from Hong Kong — and, since 1979, their adult children — to live, work and study in the UK. It has a distinctive shape: a 2 years 6 months or 5 years first grant, unlimited extensions, and settlement after 5 years. Based on the official GOV.UK guidance (gov.uk/british-national-overseas-bno-visa and its family-members page), September 2026.

Who qualifies

• You are 18 or older and either a British national (overseas), or the child of a British national (overseas) born on or after 1 July 1979.
• Your permanent home must be in Hong Kong if you apply from outside the UK, or in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Hong Kong if you apply in the UK.

How long you can stay

• First grant: choose 2 years 6 months or 5 years.
• Extend in the UK unlimited times.
• Settle (permanent residence) after 5 years in the UK.

What you can and cannot do

• You can work — but not as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
• You can study, at school, college or university.
• You usually cannot get most public funds. Support can be allowed in specific financial circumstances — for example, if you have nowhere to live and cannot afford to, cannot afford basic living costs, face losing your home, or are on a very low income that puts a child's wellbeing at risk. If funds are allowed, you can still settle after 5 years.

Family members

Eligible family can come as dependants:

• A spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner.
• Children or grandchildren under 18, and your partner's children under 18.
• Adult parents, grandparents, siblings or children who are highly dependent because of illness, disability or age.

For a partner, the relationship must be a recognised marriage or civil partnership, or you have lived together for at least 2 years, or you have been in a relationship for at least 2 years but could not live together because of work or study, or because it was not culturally accepted — in which case you show evidence such as ongoing contact, shared finances, co-parenting or time spent together. For children under 18, both parents usually apply at the same time (with exceptions such as one parent having sole responsibility, or one already holding a BNO visa or having UK permanent residence), and the child usually lives with you. Adult children who are your own must apply separately.

Adult dependent relatives must show both a long-term care need (supported by medical evidence) and that, without your or your partner's support, they cannot obtain or afford the care they need in Hong Kong.

When to apply

You can apply from outside the UK, but you should wait for the result before travelling to the UK.

See the full checklists hub, the UK visa documents checklist, and prepare your photo with the passport photo checker or the photo size chart.

Frequently asked questions

Who can apply for the BNO visa?
You must be 18 or older and either a British national (overseas), or the child of a British national (overseas) born on or after 1 July 1979.

Where must my permanent home be?
If you apply from outside the UK your permanent home must be in Hong Kong. If you apply in the UK, your permanent home must be in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or Hong Kong.

How long can I stay?
You can choose 2 years 6 months or 5 years on the first application. You can extend your stay in the UK an unlimited number of times, and after 5 years you can settle.

Can I work and study?
Yes, you can work and study. You cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach. You usually cannot get most public funds, although support can be allowed in specific financial circumstances.

Can my family come with me?
Eligible family members can come as dependants: a spouse or civil partner or unmarried partner; children or grandchildren under 18; your partner's children under 18; and adult parents, grandparents, siblings or children who are highly dependent because of illness, disability or age.

What is not published?
The fee and Immigration Health Surcharge amounts, the processing time and a detailed document list are not stated on the pages used here, so none is asserted here. Confirm them on the official page.

Source: GOV.UK, "British National (Overseas) visa" and "Your family members" (gov.uk/british-national-overseas-bno-visa) — retrieved 2026-09-29. Fees and requirements change, so confirm the current position on the official page before you apply.