Understanding the Hong Kong BN(O) Household Member Visa
The Hong Kong BN(O) Status Holder Visa is a special visa for people from Hong Kong who are British Nationals (Overseas) to live, work, and study in the UK.
If you have a Hong Kong BN(O) Status Holder Visa, you can bring your family members like your partner, children, or grandchildren under 18 to live with you in the UK. In some cases, you can also bring other family members who depend on you a lot. They can be from any country. Before applying for a Hong Kong BN(O) Status Holder Visa, it is important to ensure that you meet all the necessary requirements outlined by the UK government. These requirements include being at least 18 years old, being a British National (Overseas) under the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986, and being able to support yourself in the UK for a minimum of six months. Additionally, it is crucial to have a valid TB certificate if required and to ensure that your application complies with all the rules set forth by the immigration authorities. If you have any doubts or questions about the application process, seeking guidance from an immigration lawyer can provide valuable assistance.
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The Hong Kong BN(O) Household Member Visa is a way for adult children (18 years or older) of a BN(O) Status Holder or their partner, born after July 1, 1997, to live, work, and study in the UK. The Hong Kong BN(O) Household Member Visa provides a unique opportunity for adult children to join their parents in the UK and establish a life there. This visa offers flexibility for applicants, allowing them to choose whether to reside in Hong Kong or the UK while enjoying the benefits of living, working, and studying in the UK. With the potential for settlement in the UK, this visa opens up new possibilities for families seeking to reunite and build a future together.
Applicants can be living in Hong Kong or the UK, and this visa can eventually lead to settlement in the UK.
Adult children can bring their Dependent Partner, Dependent Children under 18, or Adult Dependent Relatives to the UK with them.
In order to qualify for the Hong Kong BN(O) Household Member Visa, you must:
- Be the adult child of a BN(O) Status Holder or their partner
- Be living in Hong Kong or the UK
- Not have any reasons for refusal
- Provide a valid TB certificate if needed
Since November 30, 2022, adult children no longer need to live in the same household or apply at the same time as their BN(O) Status Holder parents. Applicants must also demonstrate that they have enough funds to support themselves and any dependents while in the UK, as well as provide evidence of suitable accommodation. Additionally, they must show a clear intention to settle in the UK and not use the visa for any other purposes. Meeting these requirements will increase the likelihood of a successful application for the Hong Kong BN(O) Household Member Visa.
You can apply for the visa from inside or outside the UK. If applying from outside the UK, you must usually live in Hong Kong. If applying from within the UK, you must normally live in Hong Kong, the UK, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man. When applying for the visa, it is important to note that the Home Office will assess your residency based on your usual place of living, taking into consideration your regular habits and intentions. This means that if you are applying from outside the UK, you must typically reside in Hong Kong, while applicants from within the UK must normally live in Hong Kong, the UK, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man. Meeting the financial requirement is also crucial, as you must demonstrate that you can support yourself financially for at least 6 months without relying on public funds. However, if you have been residing in the UK for a minimum of 12 months, this financial requirement is automatically satisfied.
The Home Office will consider where you are usually living based on your regular habits and intentions.
You need to show that you can support yourself financially for at least 6 months without using public funds. If you have been living in the UK for at least 12 months, this requirement is automatically met. When assessing your financial requirement, the Home Office will take into account your ability to cover living expenses such as accommodation, food, and transportation. It is important to provide evidence of stable income, substantial savings, or a reliable source of financial support to demonstrate your ability to sustain yourself during your stay in the UK.
You can use income, savings, or promises of future support to meet this requirement.
If you are in the UK and applying to switch to this visa, you may need to provide a valid TB test certificate if you were last granted permission for 6 months or less and were in a country listed in the Immigration Rules for more than 6 months. For those who do need to provide a TB test certificate, it must be from a clinic approved by the Home Office. The test must be completed and the certificate obtained before submitting your visa application. Failure to provide a valid TB test certificate when required may result in delays or refusal of your visa application. It is important to carefully review the specific requirements for TB testing based on your individual circumstances.
If you provided a TB test certificate in the last 12 months, you may not need to provide another one.
If you don’t have permission on the Hong Kong BN(O) route yet, you’ll get permission that ends on the same date as the BN(O) Status Holder in your household.
If you already have permission on the Hong Kong BN(O) route, you can stay in the UK for either 30 months or 5 years, depending on the period of leave you applied for. When applying for a Hong Kong BN(O) Household Member Visa, it is important to note that the duration of your permission to stay in the UK will be aligned with the BN(O) Status Holder in your household. If you are applying for the visa for the first time, your permission will end on the same date as the BN(O) Status Holder. However, if you already have permission on the Hong Kong BN(O) route, you have the option to stay in the UK for either 30 months or 5 years, depending on the period of leave you applied for.
People with a BN(O) Household Member Visa can work in almost any role, go to school if they’re under 18, or attend education and training if they’re 16 to 19. Additionally, BN(O) Household Member Visa holders are eligible to access public funds and healthcare services in the UK. It is important to note that individuals with this visa must adhere to all UK laws and regulations during their stay. Failure to comply may result in visa revocation and potential deportation. It is essential for BN(O) Household Member Visa holders to carefully consider the financial requirements associated with their stay in the UK. In addition to the visa application fee, individuals must also budget for the immigration health surcharge and demonstrate their ability to financially support themselves for a significant period of time. Failure to meet these financial obligations could jeopardize their ability to remain in the country and pursue settlement under the Hong Kong BN(O) Household Member Visa route.
A 30-month visa costs £180 per person, and a five-year visa costs £250 per person. You also need to pay the immigration health surcharge and show you can support yourself financially for at least six months in the UK.
To apply for settlement, you need to show 5 continuous years of residence in the UK. You can combine time spent in the UK under different types of leave.
Absences of up to 180 days in any 12-month period are okay. To settle in the UK after 5 years, you need to meet certain language and life knowledge requirements. For individuals holding the Hong Kong BN(O) Household Member Visa, the pathway to British citizenship involves being settled for a year before applying. During this time, absences of up to 180 days in any 12-month period are permissible. However, to ultimately settle in the UK after 5 years, applicants must demonstrate proficiency in both language and life knowledge.
After being settled for a year, you can apply to become a British citizen. For those applying for the Hong Kong BN(O) Household Member Visa, it is important to note that absences of up to 180 days in any 12-month period are acceptable. However, in order to settle in the UK after 5 years, applicants must meet specific language and life knowledge requirements. Once settled for a year, individuals can then apply to become British citizens. It is crucial to understand and adhere to the residency requirements in order to successfully obtain British citizenship. There are residency requirements you need to meet.
Dependent partners and children under 18 can join you in the UK. When applying for British citizenship as a Hong Kong BN(O) Household Member, it is important to ensure that all residency requirements are met not only for the main applicant but also for any dependents wishing to join them in the UK. This includes understanding the rules and regulations surrounding dependents’ eligibility and ensuring that all necessary documentation is submitted accurately and on time. By seeking guidance from experienced immigration barristers, you can increase your chances of a successful application and avoid any potential pitfalls along the way.
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