Hong Kong BN(O) Visa
Guidance for Councils
Contents
Hong Kong British National (Overseas) Visa – Key Information
In January 2021 the UK Government launched a new migration route for people from Hong Kong. The Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) visa is available to BN(O) passport holders from Hong Kong, as well as their family members, in order to come to the UK to live, work and study on a pathway to settled status and citizenship.
BN(O) passport holders, as well as their dependants and some adult children, are eligible to apply for the BN(O) visa for either 2.5 years or 5 years While in the UK on the BN(O) visa holders can:
- Work (except as a professional sportsperson or sports coach)
- Study including at school, college, and university (however there may be funding eligibility restrictions for some education such university finance and apprenticeships)
Most BN(O) visa holders have No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) conditions on their visa. This means they cannot apply for benefits or other services that are classed as “public funds”. More information on what is classed as a public fund can be found in Benefits that are public funds on the NRPF (nrpfnetwork.org.uk) website .
Welcome Programme – Key Information
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is leading delivery of a funded national ‘Welcome Programme’ to support those on the BN(O) route and their families, to help them to successfully settle in their new communities.
The Welcome Programme has the following elements:
- demand-led funding for local authorities in England to support BN(O) status holders and their families with English language and destitution support.
- an online Welcome Guide for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa holders in the UK available on GOV.UK, providing all those on the BN(O) route with information on how to access services and understand life in England, with similar resources for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
- a network of 12 Welcome Hubs across the whole of the UK to prepare for the arrival of those on the BN(O) route, established using the existing infrastructure of the Strategic Migration Partnerships.
- national and regional voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) grant programmes to support integration.
- funding to deliver a reporting and support service for those on the BN(O) route and all other East and Southeast Asian communities in the UK who experience racism or any forms of hate.
The aims of the ‘Welcome Programme’ are:
- enabling those on the BN(O) route to fully contribute economically and socially to life in the UK, enriching our society.
- enabling those on the BN(O) route to feel part of UK society, able to mix confidently with people of all backgrounds and provide a positive contribution to the UK and where they settle, including through speaking English well.
- providing support to both resident communities and those on the BN(O) route to feel safe and welcome, including by ensuring that any hate crime is tackled in a timely way, with follow-up support offered.
- ensuring that any instances of destitution for those on the BN(O) route is minimised and addressed through effective support services.
Role of Councils
Councils play a key role in supporting the integration of BN(O) residents in their area. BN(O) visa holders can choose to settle in any part of the country, as they are not placed or resettled to a specific address.
There are two demand-led funded elements of the Welcome Programme which councils are responsible for claiming from. Councils are responsible for supporting BN(O) visa holders with access to English language support and for supporting any instances of destitution. For more information on this and other funded support please see our Funded Support page – NW RSMP.
Councils are also key sources of information both to BN(O) visa holders on local services. Councils are also a key source of information to Government and the Welcome Hubs on the location and needs of the BN(O) community in their area. You can get in touch to discuss the BN(O) community in your area within the North West of England by email [email protected]
For more information on the BN(O) visa and Welcome Programme please see the Hong Kong British Nationals (Overseas) Welcome Programme – information for local authorities on GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).