British National (Overseas) visa
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1. Overview
If you鈥檙e from Hong Kong and are a British national (overseas) you and your family members can apply for a British National (Overseas) visa.
If you鈥檙e the child of a British national (overseas) aged 18 or older and born on or after 1 July 1997, you can apply separately from your parent. Your family members can also apply with you.
You can apply for the BNO visa from overseas, but you should wait for a decision on your application before you travel to the UK.
Who can apply
You can apply for a BNO visa if you鈥檙e 18 or older and either:
- a British national (overseas)
- the child of a British national (overseas) born on or after 1 July 1997
Your permanent home must be:
- in Hong Kong, if you鈥檙e applying from outside the UK
- in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Hong Kong if you鈥檙e applying in the UK
Your family members
Your family members can apply for a BNO visa if they鈥檙e eligible. They must usually apply at the same time as you, unless they鈥檙e one of the following:
- your partner
- your child under the age of 18
- an adult dependent relative
Check if your family members can apply.
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 once you鈥檙e in the UK if you want to stay longer. You can apply to extend your visa as many times as you want.
After you鈥檝e lived in the UK for 5 years, you can apply to live in the UK permanently.
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 usually get most benefits (public funds).
Once you have a BNO visa, you might be able to get access to benefits. You鈥檒l be eligible for this in certain financial circumstances, for example if you:
- do not have a place to live and cannot afford one
- have a place to live but cannot afford essential living costs like food or heating
- are at risk of losing your place to live or being unable to afford essential living costs
- have a very low income, and not having access to benefits would harm your child鈥檚 wellbeing
If you do get access to benefits, you can still apply to live in the UK permanently after 5 years.
2. How much it costs
To apply for a British National (Overseas) visa, or to apply to switch to or extend one, you must:
- pay the visa application fee
- pay the healthcare surcharge
The first time you apply you must prove that you have enough money to support yourself and your family members for at least 6 months while you鈥檙e in the UK.
Visa application fee
You and your family members will each need to pay a visa application fee.
It costs:
- 拢193 if you鈥檙e applying for 2 years and 6 months
- 拢268 if you鈥檙e applying for 5 years
As part of your application, you might need to go to an appointment to give your fingerprints and a photo (biometric information).
Healthcare surcharge
You and your family members will each need to pay the healthcare surcharge.
This is so you can use the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. You鈥檒l still need to pay for some NHS care such as prescriptions, dental care and eye tests.
For each adult (18 or older) it costs:
- 拢2,587.50 if you鈥檙e staying for 2 years and 6 months
- 拢5,175 if you鈥檙e staying for 5 years
For each child (under 18), it costs:
- 拢1,940 if you鈥檙e staying for 2 years and 6 months
- 拢3,880 if you鈥檙e staying for 5 years
You pay the healthcare surcharge as part of your online visa application.
If you鈥檙e extending your visa and you receive benefits
You do not need to pay the application fee or healthcare surcharge if all of the following apply:
- you鈥檙e extending your visa for 30 months
- you鈥檙e receiving benefits
- you cannot afford to pay the fee or healthcare surcharge
You will have to pay if you鈥檙e extending your visa for 60 months.
You鈥檒l need to give evidence that you鈥檙e receiving benefits and cannot afford the fee or healthcare surcharge when you apply to extend your visa - for example, bank statements dated within the last 3 months.
Money to support yourself and your family
When you apply for the first time, you鈥檒l need to show you have enough money to pay for your housing and to support yourself and your family for 6 months.
This can include:
- your income and savings as well as your family member鈥檚
- money you will earn in your current job in the UK
- money you will earn if you鈥檙e transferring to a job in the UK with your current employer
- an offer of help from family or friends
You usually do not need to show you have enough money to support yourself if you鈥檝e been living in the UK for 12 months or more.
As well as money for housing costs, you鈥檒l need at least the same amount as someone would get on Income Support in the UK.
How much you need depends on how many family members are applying with you. For example, you鈥檒l need about:
- 拢2,000 as a single adult
- 拢3,100 as a couple with a child
- 拢4,600 as a couple with 3 children
- 拢9,200 as a couple with 2 parents and 2 adult children
3. Your family members
Your family members can apply as your 鈥榙ependant鈥� if you鈥檙e either:
- a British national (overseas)
- aged 18 or older (and born on or after 1 July 1997) and the child of a British national (overseas)
A dependant can include your:
- husband, wife, civil partner or unmarried partner
- child or grandchild under 18
- partner鈥檚 child under 18
- parent, grandparent, brother, sister, son or daughter (18 or older) if they鈥檙e highly dependent on you because of illness, disability or their age
Children over 18 can still apply if you鈥檙e a British national (overseas) and:
- they鈥檙e your own child - they must make their own application for a BNO visa separately from you
- they鈥檙e your partner鈥檚 child - they鈥檙e eligible to apply as your dependant if they were born on or after 1 July 1997 (their partner or child is also eligible)
Partners
They鈥檒l need to prove one of the following:
- they鈥檙e in a civil partnership or marriage with you that鈥檚 recognised in the UK
- they鈥檝e been in a relationship with you and you鈥檝e been living together for at least 2 years when they apply
- they鈥檝e been in a relationship with you for at least 2 years when they apply and you cannot live together, for example because you鈥檙e working or studying in different places, or it鈥檚 not accepted in your culture
If you鈥檙e not living together, they鈥檒l need to prove that you have an ongoing commitment to each other, for example by providing evidence that you:
- communicate regularly with each other
- support each other financially
- care for any children you have together
- spend time together as a couple, for example on holiday or at events
Children under 18
In most cases, children under 18 need to apply with both parents, unless:
- one parent has sole responsibility for them
- one parent already has a BNO visa
- one parent has the right to live in the UK permanently, for example if they are a British citizen
The child must normally live with you, unless they鈥檙e either:
- living away from home to study
- applying after you鈥檝e already moved to the UK
Children 18 or older
If you鈥檙e a British national (overseas), your partner鈥檚 children aged 18 or older can apply as your dependant if they were born on or after 1 July 1997. They must apply at the same time as you and normally live with you unless they鈥檙e living away from home to study.
If they鈥檙e not eligible for a BNO visa, they may be able to apply for another visa to come to the UK to work or study. Check what visa they need.
Adult dependants
Other adult family members (18 or older) can only apply if they鈥檙e highly dependent on you. This means they need long-term personal care to do everyday tasks because of illness, disability or their age.
An adult dependent relative includes your or your partner鈥檚:
- parent or grandparent
- brother or sister
- son or daughter
Adult dependent relatives can apply if they can show both of the following:
- they need long-term care to do everyday personal and household tasks because of illness, disability or their age, and medical records show this
- they cannot get or afford the care they need in Hong Kong without you - even with your or your partner鈥檚 support
If eligible, they can apply as an 鈥榓dult dependent relative鈥�.
How long family members can stay
When you apply for the first time, your family member will need to apply for the same BNO visa as you, for either:
- 2 years and 6 months
- 5 years
When you apply for the second time, you and your family members will be able to extend your visas.
After they鈥檝e lived in the UK for 5 years, your family members can apply to live in the UK permanently.
How to apply with your family
Each family member will need to make their own application as your dependant.
You鈥檒l need to submit your application first to get an application number. This is called a Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN).
Your family members will need to use your application number when they apply.
If you鈥檙e the first person in your family to apply, you can also get a 鈥榝amily linking code鈥� to connect your applications together. Your family members can enter the same code when they apply.
Partners, children under 18 and adult dependent relatives
Partners, children under 18 and adult dependent relatives do not have to apply at the same time as you. Your visa must still be valid when they apply.
Other family members
Other family members must apply within 2 days of your application.
If you have technical problems that mean your family members might not be able to apply within 2 days of you, contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) for help.
Apply online
Your family members can apply for the first time outside the UK or in the UK.
They can also apply to extend their BNO visa or switch to a BNO visa.
4. Documents you鈥檒l need to apply
When you apply you鈥檒l need to provide a valid passport or other travel document that shows your identity and nationality.
If you鈥檙e a British national (overseas), you can use a current or expired BNO passport (or a photocopy) to show your BNO status when you apply.
If you no longer have a BNO passport you can still apply. The Home Office will check your status but it may take longer to get a decision on your application.
You do not need a BNO passport to travel to the UK. You can use any valid passport or travel document.
You鈥檒l also need to provide evidence:
-
that you live in Hong Kong, the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man
-
that you have enough money to support yourself and your family
-
of your relationship with family members
-
of your tuberculosis (TB) test certificate, if you did not already provide it when you arrived in the UK
You must provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English.
Applying as the adult child of a British national (overseas)
If you鈥檙e applying as the child of a British national (overseas) aged 18 or older (and born on or after 1 July 1997) you鈥檒l also need to prove that one of your parents has BNO status.
You鈥檒l need to provide:
- your parent鈥檚 current or expired passport (or a photocopy)
- a birth or adoption certificate that proves your relationship
If your parent does not have a BNO passport or you are unable to get the details, provide their full name and date of birth in your application. The Home Office will then check your parent鈥檚 BNO status.
Proof of your home address
You鈥檒l need to provide up to 3 documents that show your home address. This can include:
- household or utility bills
- a visa, residence permit or other immigration document (or a colour photocopy)
- payslips or your most recent P60
- bank statements
- a letter from an employer confirming your employment
- records of rent or mortgage payments
- an appointment letter from your GP or other healthcare professional
- a letter from the local council or a government
Your family members (鈥榙ependants鈥�) will need to provide evidence that their home address is the same as yours, unless both of the following are true:
- they鈥檙e your partner, child under 18 or adult dependent relative
- they鈥檙e applying after you鈥檝e already moved to the UK
Proof you have enough money to support yourself and your family
You usually need to show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family (dependants) for 6 months in the UK - unless you鈥檝e been living in the UK for at least 12 months.
This includes proving you have the money to pay for accommodation or an offer of accommodation from friends or family.
If you鈥檙e applying with family, evidence can include you and your family member鈥檚 income or savings.
You might need to provide evidence such as:
- bank or savings account statements
- payslips
- proof of income from self-employment
- proof of income from rental property
- a letter from friends or family with evidence (such as bank statements or payslips) that they have the money to support you and your family
- a letter confirming an offer of accommodation from friends or family
- a tenancy or mortgage agreement
At least one piece of evidence must be dated no more than 31 days before you submit your application.
An offer of work does not usually count as evidence unless you鈥檙e transferring to a job in the UK with your current employer.
Evidence of your relationship with family members
If your family members are applying, they鈥檒l need to provide evidence of your relationship with them.
For example:
- a copy of a marriage or civil partnership certificate
- a birth certificate or adoption certificate for children
- evidence that their permanent home address is the same as yours
When you need a TB test certificate
You may need a TB certificate for your visa application. Whether you need a certificate depends on where you鈥檙e applying from.
If you鈥檙e applying from outside the UK
If you鈥檝e been living in Hong Kong or another country where you have to take a TB test for the past 6 months, you must provide a TB certificate for your visa application.
If you鈥檙e already in the UK
If you provided a TB certificate to come to the UK, you do not need to show one again.
Otherwise, you鈥檒l need to provide a TB test certificate to stay in the UK if you came from Hong Kong or another country where you have to take the TB test.
Getting a TB test certificate
You might not be able to get a TB test appointment straight away. If you apply for your visa without a certificate, you might not get your certificate by the time your application is being considered.
If you wait until you have your certificate before you apply for your visa, you can avoid the risk of your application being looked at before you get your certificate.
The certificate must be no older than 6 months when you apply for your visa.
Your test certificate must be from either an:
- approved test centre abroad - this can be in any country where you have to take a TB test
- approved test centre in the UK
5. Apply for the first time from inside the UK
You can apply for a British National (Overseas) visa from inside the UK if:
- you鈥檙e in the UK as a visitor
- you鈥檙e in the UK on a different visa and want to switch to a BNO visa
- you鈥檝e made an asylum claim
You鈥檒l need to apply online. Before you apply, you can check:
If you have an outstanding asylum claim, you should only withdraw it after you鈥檝e submitted your BNO visa application.
If you鈥檝e already withdrawn your asylum claim, you must submit your BNO application as soon as possible. Your application may be refused if it鈥檚 submitted more than one month after you withdraw your asylum claim.
There is a different process if you want to apply to extend your current BNO visa.
How to apply
As part of your online application, you鈥檒l need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on what type of passport you have.
You鈥檒l either:
- use the 鈥楿K Immigration: ID Check鈥� app to scan your BNO, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) or EEA passport - you鈥檒l also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
- have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point
You鈥檒l be told what you need to do when you apply.
If you need to go to an appointment, the centre may have to keep your passport and documents while they process your application.
Apply online
Continue your application
You can continue your application if you鈥檝e saved it. To do this, find out how to sign in to your account.
Get help to apply online
You can get help with completing the online form if you:
-
do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device
-
do not have internet access
You cannot get immigration advice through this service.
How long it takes to get a decision
You鈥檒l usually get a decision within 12 weeks of your application date.
If you applied using the 鈥楿K Immigration: ID check鈥� app, the 12 weeks starts from the date you submitted your online application.
If you went to a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) point, the 12 weeks starts from the date you attended your appointment and submitted your fingerprints.
Your application may take longer to process if:
-
your supporting documents need to be verified or you need to provide more evidence
-
you need to attend an interview
-
you do not have a valid tuberculosis (TB) certificate
-
you have a criminal conviction for an offence that is recognised in the UK
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
After you apply
You can stay in the UK until you鈥檝e been given a decision about your application.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man until you get a decision.
If you鈥檙e applying with a family member
You and your family members might get your decisions at different times.
If your family members are waiting for a decision, it does not automatically mean their application has been unsuccessful.
If you need to change or cancel your application
If you need to change something in your application after you鈥檝e sent it, contact UKVI.
You can ask to cancel your application. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.
After you get a decision
You鈥檒l get a letter or an email containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.
Find out what happens after you get your decision.
If your application is unsuccessful
If your application is unsuccessful, your family members鈥� applications will also be refused.
You may be able to stay in the UK for up to 12 months if you were not able to prove that you:
-
have enough money to support yourself and your family in the UK
-
have a permanent home in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Hong Kong
When you get your decision letter, it will say if you鈥檙e allowed to do this. You鈥檒l be able to apply for a BNO visa again.
If you stay in the UK for up to 12 months, you鈥檒l get a refund for some of the healthcare surcharge you paid.
As an adult (18 or older), you鈥檒l get a refund of:
-
拢936 if you applied for 2 years and 6 months
-
拢2,496 if you applied for 5 years
As a child under 18 you鈥檒l get a refund of:
-
拢705 if you applied for 2 years and 6 months
-
拢1,880 if you applied for 5 years
6. Apply for the first time from outside the UK
You must apply online.
Before you apply, you can check:
You should wait for a decision on your application before you travel to the UK.
There is a different process if you want to apply to extend your current BNO visa.
How to apply
As part of your online application, you鈥檒l need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on what type of passport you have.
You鈥檒l either:
-
use the 鈥楿K Immigration: ID Check鈥� app to scan your BNO, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) or EEA passport - you鈥檒l also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
-
have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a visa application centre
You鈥檒l be told what you need to do when you apply.
If you need to go to an appointment:
-
the centre may have to keep your passport and documents while they process your application
-
you may need to travel to get to your nearest visa application centre (this could be in another country)
Apply online
Your visa will start on the day it鈥檚 approved, even if you request a specific start date when you apply.
If you use a valid BNO or Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passport to prove your identity, you do not need to travel to the UK using the same passport.
Continue your application
You can continue your application if you鈥檝e saved it. To do this, you can sign in to your account using the link from your sign-up email.
How long it takes to get a decision
You鈥檒l usually get a decision within 12 weeks of your application date.
If you applied using the 鈥楿K Immigration: ID check鈥� app, the 12 weeks starts from the date you submitted your online application.
If you went to a visa application centre service point, the 12 weeks starts from the date you attended your appointment and submitted your fingerprints.
Your application may take longer to process if:
-
your supporting documents need to be verified or you need to provide more evidence
-
you need to attend an interview
-
you do not have a valid tuberculosis (TB) certificate
-
you have a criminal conviction for an offence that is recognised in the UK
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
If you鈥檙e applying with a family member
You and your family members might get your decisions at different times.
If your family members are waiting for a decision, it does not automatically mean their application has been unsuccessful.
If you plan to travel to the UK with your family and you want to be certain you can all travel together, you may want to wait until all family members have received a decision before making travel arrangements.
If your application is successful
You must travel to the UK:
-
within 90 days, if you went to a visa application centre to prove your identity
-
before your visa expires, if you used the 鈥楿K Immigration: ID Check鈥� smartphone app to prove your identity
Children under 18 must travel with one or both parents, unless they鈥檙e joining their parents who are already in the UK.
If you need to change or cancel your application
If you need to change something in your application after you鈥檝e sent it, contact UKVI.
You can ask to cancel your application. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.
After you get a decision
You鈥檒l get a letter or an email containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.
Find out what happens after you get your decision.
If your application is unsuccessful
If your application is unsuccessful, your family members鈥� applications will also be refused. If your application is successful but your family member鈥檚 is not, you can still come to the UK.
You鈥檒l get a refund for the healthcare surcharge you paid for each unsuccessful application.
7. Extend your visa
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply to extend your existing BNO visa.
You must apply before your existing visa expires.
Your visa extension does not have to be granted before your current visa expires. You鈥檒l be able to stay in the UK and do the same things you were able to do on your previous visa until a decision is made on your extension application.
If you want to live permanently in the UK, do not apply earlier than 28 days before your visa expires. This is to make sure you have lived in the UK for 5 years continuously when you apply to settle.
Your new visa will start on the date it is granted. If you have time remaining on your previous visa, you can have up to 28 days added to your new one.
There is no limit to the number of times you can extend your BNO visa.
Your family members
Your family members can apply to extend their BNO visa. Each family member will need to make their own application. How they apply depends on their age and if they are dependent on you. They can apply at any time before their current visa expires.
Children under 18
In most cases, children under 18 need to apply to extend with both parents who have BNO visas, unless:
- one parent has sole responsibility
- one parent has the right to live in the UK permanently, for example if they are a British Citizen
- one parent moved to the UK before the child
They will need to use your extension reference number to apply.
Partners, children over 18 and adult dependent relatives
Partners, children over 18 and adult dependent relatives can apply separately from you and do not need to prove their relationship to you.
If your relationship ends, your partner can apply to extend their visa independently from you.
Apply online
As part of your online application, you鈥檒l need to prove your identity. How you do this depends on what type of passport you have.
You鈥檒l either:
- use the 鈥楿K Immigration: ID Check鈥� app to scan your BNO, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) or EEA passport - you鈥檒l also create or sign into your UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account
- have your fingerprints and photo (biometric information) taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point
You鈥檒l be told what you need to do when you apply.
Continue your application
You can continue your application if you鈥檝e saved it. To do this, you can sign in to your account using the link from your sign-up email.
Get help to apply online
You can get help with completing the online form if you:
- do not feel confident using a computer or mobile device
- do not have internet access
You can only use this service if you鈥檙e applying for a visa in the UK.
You cannot get immigration advice through this service.
How long it takes to get a decision
You鈥檒l usually get a decision within 12 weeks of your application date.
If you applied using the 鈥楿K Immigration: ID check鈥� app, the 12 weeks starts from the date you submitted your online application.
If you went to a UKVCAS service point, the 12 weeks starts from the date you attended your appointment and submitted your fingerprints.
Your application may take longer to process if:
- your supporting documents need to be verified or you need to provide more evidence
- you need to attend an interview
- you have a criminal conviction for an offence that is recognised in the UK
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
After you apply
You can stay in the UK until you鈥檝e been given a decision about your application.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man until you get a decision.
If you鈥檙e applying with a family member
You and your family members might get your decisions at different times.
If your family members are waiting for a decision, it does not automatically mean their application has been unsuccessful.
If you need to change or cancel your application
If you need to change something in your application after you鈥檝e sent it, contact UKVI.
You can ask to cancel your application. Your fee will only be refunded if UKVI has not started processing your application.
After you get a decision
You鈥檒l get a letter or an email containing the decision on your application. This will explain what you need to do next.
8. Settle in the UK
If you鈥檝e lived in the UK for 5 years, you may be able to apply to stay permanently.
Indefinite leave to remain is how you settle in the UK. It鈥檚 also called 鈥榮ettlement鈥�. It gives you the right to live, work and study here for as long as you like, and apply for benefits if you鈥檙e eligible. You can use it to apply for British citizenship.
Eligibility
You can apply for settlement if you have a BNO visa and you鈥檝e spent 5 continuous years in the UK.
The earliest you can apply is 28 days before you鈥檝e been in the UK for 5 years.
In most cases you must have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 month period.
If you think you鈥檙e affected by this rule, find out how to calculate your time in the UK (鈥榗ontinuous residence鈥�).
Time spent in the UK that counts toward the 5 years
You can count time spent in the UK on any visa that allows you to apply for settlement, as long as your last visa was a BNO visa. For example:
- Entrepreneur visa
- Family visa
- Global Talent visa (or a Tier 1 Exceptional Talent visa)
- Investor visa
- Minister of Religion visa
- Representative of an Overseas Business visa
- Skilled Worker visa (or a Tier 2 General work visa)
- Sportsperson visa
- UK Ancestry visa
Time spent in the UK that does not count towards the 5 years
You cannot count time you spent in the UK that was outside of the immigration rules. For example, if you had permission granted via 鈥榣eave outside the rules鈥� at the border for BNO status holders and their family members.
You also cannot count time spent on any visa that does not allow you to apply for settlement, for example:
- Youth Mobility Scheme visa
- Student visa - previously called a Tier 4 (General) student visa Youth
Knowledge of language and life in the UK
If you鈥檙e 18 to 64 you鈥檒l usually need to:
- book and pass the Life in the UK Test
- meet the English language requirements by having an English qualification with at least level B1 in speaking and listening or a degree taught or researched in English
There are some circumstances where you do not have to take the Life in the UK Test, or when you do not have to meet the English language requirement.
Your family members applying to settle
Each family member will need to make their own application. How they apply depends on their age and if they鈥檙e dependent on you.
Partners, children 18 or over and adult dependent relatives
If your partner, their children aged 18 or over or your adult dependent relatives were dependants on your BNO visa, they can apply for settlement with you or make their own application.
They do not need to apply at the same time as you or prove their relationship to you.
Children under 18
Children under 18 can apply for settlement if they were previously dependants on your BNO visa.
Each child will need a separate application which will link to yours using your settlement application details.
They must apply for settlement with both of their parents, unless one or both of their parents is already settled or has British citizenship. You should include details of this parent鈥檚 settlement application or citizenship in the form.
Your child鈥檚 application does not need to include details about both parents if:
- one parent is the only surviving parent
- one parent has sole responsibility for them
- there are serious or compelling family or other considerations, for example you (if you鈥檙e settled in the UK) or your child has a serious illness
Adult dependent relatives
If your adult dependent relative was a dependant on your BNO visa, they can apply for settlement with you or make their own application.
They do not need to apply at the same time as you or prove their relationship to you.
They must be the parent, grandparent, brother, sister, son or daughter of someone who is one of the following:
- applying for settlement at the same time
- already settled
- a British citizen
Include details of this person鈥檚 settlement application or citizenship in the form.
Each adult dependent relative needs a separate application. This will be linked to yours using your settlement application details.
Fees and how long it takes
It costs 拢3,029 for each person applying. You鈥檒l also need to have your fingerprints and a photo taken (biometric information) - there鈥檚 no fee for this.
You鈥檒l usually get a decision within 6 months.
You must not travel outside of the UK, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man until you get a decision. Your application will be withdrawn if you do.
You may be able to pay to get a faster decision.
Apply to settle in the UK
As part of your settlement application, you鈥檒l need to have your fingerprints and photograph taken at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) service point - this is to prove your identity.
You should apply using the 鈥�BNO鈥� category on the application form. Once you鈥檝e started your application, you can save your form and complete it later.
After you apply
If your settlement application is successful you鈥檒l be granted indefinite leave to remain.聽
You鈥檒l get an eVisa (an online record of your immigration status).
Your decision email or letter will tell you how to get access to your eVisa. You鈥檒l need to create a UKVI account.
Find out how to get your biometric residence permit (BRP) if you were told you鈥檇 get one when you applied.
If your application is unsuccessful
If your application for settlement is unsuccessful, your BNO visa may be extended for 30 months. You鈥檒l need to meet the requirements for limited leave to remain to get an extension.
You鈥檒l be contacted by UKVI either by email or letter and asked to pay the immigration health surcharge (IHS).
9. Becoming a British citizen
If you鈥檙e a British national (overseas), you can usually apply for British citizenship 1 year after you settle in the UK (get 鈥榠ndefinite leave to remain鈥�).
Your family members
Your child is a British citizen if both:
- they were born in the UK
- you were a British citizen or settled in the UK (had 鈥榠ndefinite leave to remain鈥�) when they were born
Partners and adult relatives
Your partner and adult relatives can apply for British citizenship by 鈥榥aturalisation鈥� 1 year after you settle in the UK (鈥榞et indefinite leave to remain鈥�).聽
If your child aged 18 or over was born in the UK and you were not settled in the UK when they were born, they may be able to apply for British citizenship. They need to have lived in the UK until they were 10 years old.
Children under 18
If your child was born outside the UK and comes to the UK with you, you can apply to register a child as a British citizen (Form MN1).
If your child was born in the UK and you were not settled in the UK when they were born, they may be able to apply for British citizenship.