British Citizenship for Hong Kong Nationals.

In October 2020, the UK government announced that it will allow all British National (Overseas) citizens currently living in the UK on an Immigration status or living permanently in the Islands/Hong Kong, to enter the UK with their immediate family members for five years special visa leading to Indefinite Leave to Remain at the end of the 5 year period.

Overview

If you’re from Hong Kong and are a British national (overseas) you and your family members can apply for a British National (Overseas) visa. This is known as a BNO visa. It allows you to live, work and study in the UK.

Who can apply

You can apply for a BNO visa if you’re:

• a British national (overseas) - you may be eligible even if you have not applied for a BNO passport previously

• 18 or older

Your permanent home must be:

• in Hong Kong, if you’re applying from outside the UK

• in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Hong Kong if you’re applying in the UK

Your family members

Family members can apply for a BNO visa with you if they’re eligible.

Your family members must apply at the same time as you. They cannot apply after you get a decision about your visa application.

How long you can stay

You can apply to stay for either:

• 2 years and 6 months

• 5 years

You will be able to extend your visa if you want to stay longer. You can apply to extend your visa as many times as you want.

What you can and cannot do

You can:

• work (except you cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach)

• study (including at school, college or university)

You cannot apply for most benefits (public funds).

Living permanently in the UK

You can apply to settle in the UK (known as ‘indefinite leave to remain’) after you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years on a BNO visa. This means you can stay in the UK without any time limits.

If you’ve already spent time in the UK on a different visa this may count towards the 5 years. Time spent on a Student visa (previously called a Tier 4 (General) student visa) or a Youth Mobility Scheme visa (T5) will not count.

Becoming a British citizen

One year after you settle in the UK (have ‘indefinite leave to remain’), you’ll usually be able to apply for British citizenship.

Source : gov.uk