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
Please Note: As of 31 March 2026 the National Welcome Programme Funded by Government has concluded.
The Welcome Programme had 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. This has now concluded.
- 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. This is still available online.
- 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. The North West Hong Kong Welcome Hub will continue to operate until further notice.
- a national Mental Health support offer. This has now concluded.
- 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. This has now concluded.
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.
With the “demand-led funding” elements of the Welcome Programme now concluded, it is expected that support to BN(O) visa holders will be “mainstreamed”. Councils are expected to include BN(O) visa holders in future support planning, taking into consideration restrictions to accessing some support to due vis conditions. The RSMP remains an avenue of support to local councils as they offer and deliver support to BN(O) visa holders.
Councils are also a key sources of information both to BN(O) visa holders on local services and 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).