UK BNO Visa — British National (Overseas)
The BNO visa is for people from Hong Kong with British national (overseas) status, and their family members. You can stay for 2 years and 6 months or 5 years, and apply to settle after 5 years. Based on the official GOV.UK page (gov.uk/british-national-overseas-bno-visa), retrieved 2026-10-12.
Who can apply
You can apply for a BNO visa if you're 18 or older and either:
- a British national (overseas);
- the child of a British national (overseas) born on or after 1 July 1979.
Your permanent home must be in Hong Kong if you are applying from outside the UK, or in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Hong Kong if you are applying in the UK. You can apply from overseas, but you should wait for a decision before you travel to the UK.
Your family members
Your family members can apply for a BNO visa if they are eligible. They must usually apply at the same time as you, unless they are one of the following:
- your partner;
- your child under the age of 18;
- an adult dependent relative.
How long you can stay
You can apply to stay for either:
- 2 years and 6 months; or
- 5 years.
You will be able to extend your visa once you are in the UK if you want to stay longer, and you can apply to extend as many times as you want. After you've lived in the UK for 5 years, you can apply to live in the UK permanently (settle).
What you can and cannot do
- Can: work — except you cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach — and study, including at school, college or university.
- Cannot usually: get most benefits (public funds). You might be able to get access to benefits in certain financial circumstances — for example if you cannot afford essential living costs.
Related
Prepare the paperwork with the UK BNO visa checklist. If your route is through a UK-born grandparent instead, see the UK Ancestry visa guide. For the photo side, see the UK passport photo page and the passport photo checker.
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for a BNO visa?
You can apply if you are 18 or older and are either a British national (overseas) or the child of a British national (overseas) born on or after 1 July 1979.
How long can I stay on a BNO visa?
You can apply to stay for 2 years and 6 months, or for 5 years. You can extend your visa as many times as you want once you are in the UK.
Can I settle in the UK on a BNO visa?
After you have lived in the UK for 5 years, you can apply to live in the UK permanently.
Can my family apply with me?
Your family members can apply if they are eligible - your partner, your child under the age of 18, or an adult dependent relative. They must usually apply at the same time as you.
Can I work or study on a BNO visa?
Yes. You can work (but not as a professional sportsperson or sports coach) and study, including at school, college or university.
Can I claim benefits on a BNO visa?
You cannot usually get most public funds. You might get access to benefits in certain financial circumstances, for example if you cannot afford essential living costs.
Source: GOV.UK, “British National (Overseas) visa” (gov.uk/british-national-overseas-bno-visa), retrieved 2026-10-12. Rules change, so confirm the current position before you apply.