Hong Kong BN(O) Visa: 5+1 Pathway to UK Settlement and British Citizenship

The Hong Kong BN(O) Visa, officially the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) route, is a dedicated UK immigration pathway for Hong Kong residents who hold British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) status, and their eligible family members. It launched in January 2021 as a direct response to the implementation of Hong Kong's National Security Law.

The route offers a 5+1 pathway: five years of continuous UK residence leading to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), followed by British citizenship one year after ILR is granted. More than 230,000 visas have been granted since the scheme launched, with approximately 170,000 Hongkongers having already relocated to the UK.

Unlike most work-based routes, the BN(O) Visa requires no employer sponsorship, no salary threshold, and no minimum investment. It is one of the most accessible and straightforward routes to UK settlement and citizenship currently available.

NEW — February 2026: Adult children of BN(O) holders can now apply for the BN(O) Visa independently. From 9 February 2026, adult children of BN(O) status holders (born on or after 1 July 1979) can apply in their own right and include their own partners and children.

What Is BN(O) Status?

British National (Overseas) status was created in 1984 and made available for registration by eligible Hong Kong residents before 1 July 1997. Those who registered hold BN(O) status, evidenced by a BN(O) passport. BN(O) status does not itself confer the right to live and work in the UK — it is the BN(O) Visa that provides those rights. If you are not already a BN(O) status holder, you cannot apply to become one, the registration window closed in 1997.

BN(O) Status Holder Route

For BN(O) status holders and their immediate family: spouse or civil partner, unmarried partner, dependent children under 18, and adult dependants with a high degree of dependency. Check full eligibility on GOV.UK.

BN(O) Adult Child Route Expanded from February 2026

From 9 February 2026, adult children of BN(O) status holders who were born on or after 1 July 1979 (meaning they were under 18 at the time of Hong Kong's 1997 handover) can apply for the BN(O) Visa independently of their parents. They no longer need to be included as a dependant on a parent's application, they do not need to be financially dependent on their parent, and they can include their own partners and children as part of their application. An estimated 26,000 additional Hongkongers are expected to be eligible under this expansion.

ILR After Five Years

After five continuous years of lawful UK residence on the BN(O) route, you can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain. For ILR, you must not have been absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period during the qualifying five years. This is assessed on a rolling 12-month basis, not an average across the full five years. Careful absence tracking is essential throughout the qualifying period.

ILR provides permanent settlement with no further immigration conditions. The ILR application also requires passing the Life in the UK Test, English language evidence, and meeting good character requirements.

British Citizenship After ILR

One year after receiving ILR, BN(O) visa holders can apply for British citizenship by naturalisation. The standard naturalisation requirements apply: the Life in the UK Test (if not already passed), English language, good character, and attendance at a citizenship ceremony. See our Naturalisation page for full guidance on Form AN and the application process.

Five-Year Pathway Is Protected

The UK government has proposed an "earned settlement" framework that would extend the standard ILR qualifying period from five to ten years for most migrants. In November 2025, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood confirmed in Parliament that BN(O) visa holders will retain the five-year pathway to ILR. They will not be subject to the proposed 10-year baseline.

This is significant reassurance for the thousands of Hongkongers who arrived in 2021 and are now approaching their five-year qualifying date. The broader earned settlement proposals remain under consultation, and the final details — including which routes are affected — have not been confirmed. Applying for ILR as soon as you become eligible is strongly advisable.

ETA Requirement for HKSAR Passport Holders

From 8 January 2026, holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passports travelling to the UK without a current BN(O) Visa or other UK permission must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before travel. This does not affect holders of a valid BN(O) Visa, BRP, or eVisa, but it is relevant for those planning to arrive on HKSAR documentation only or who have not yet applied for the BN(O) Visa.