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British National Overseas (Hong Kong) Visa

The British National Overseas Visa is a great opportunity to work or study in the UK, the visa is open to citizens of Hong Kong who registered as a British National before July 1997.

Overview

Who Qualifies?

Citizens of Hong Kong who registered as a British National before July 1997, Applicants can apply with their spouse/partner and dependent children.

How Long Can You Stay?

Up to 5 years. After this period you can apply for permanent residency.

Processing Time?

After you have submitted your online application, proved your identity and provided the relevant documents, 90% of applicants are processed within 12 weeks.

Cost?

£180 to £250

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Eligibility

In order to qualify for this visa you must meet several minimum requirements.

  • Citizen of Hong Kong who registered as a British National before July 1997
  • Permanent Home in Hong Kong when applying.
  • Evidence that you can support yourself and dependants financially.

Occupation

The British National Overseas Visa allows you to work in any job, including self-employed or voluntary.

Occupations do not need to be registered on the skilled occupations list.

Language

You must prove that you are committed to learn, speak, read, write and understand English. To do this, you can pass a Secure English Language Test (SELT).

Certification Provider

The International English Language Test (IELTS) is designed to help you work, study or migrate to the UK.

Your ability to listen, read, write and speak in English will be assessed during the test. IELTS is graded on a scale of 1-9.  

You will be required to achieve at least 7.0 overall for the Skilled Worker Visa and in each category, Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.

IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English.

We suggest using TakeIELTS.net to practice with mock tests before you attempt IELTS.

Cost

You must have sufficient funds when applying for the British National Overseas Visa, the total minimum costs will vary depending on your circumstances.

Application Fee

£180 – 2 years and 6 months

£250 – 5 years

Healthcare

The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) entitles you to use the NHS if you become unwell or have an accident while in the UK.

You have to pay the IHS even if you do not use the NHS or even if you have your own private health insurance, the cost is £624 per year.

If you are applying for a 5-year visa you will have to pay £624 each year, Therefore you will have to pay a total of £3210.

Sufficient Funds

You must have at least £1,270 in your bank account to show you can support yourself in the UK, a bank statement will suffice.

The financial requirement is that you show you have enough money for your living costs for yourself and dependants while you move to the UK.

Documentation

You must bring relevant documentation that will require some preparation before arriving in the UK. Although, This will vary depending on your occupation, nationality and length of stay.

  • Your own current Tuberculosis test certificate
  • A valid passport for the entirety of the visa
  • Bank statement proving sufficient funds
  • Marriage certificate if arriving with your spouse
  • 3 documents proving your current home address in HK

Criminal Record Certificate

If you are applying for certain jobs mostly in the public sector such as healthcare, welfare and education sectors. You will need to provide a criminal record certificate for any country in which, since the age of 18, you have been present for 12 months or more in the 10 years before the date of your application.

Identity

For most applicants you must prove your identity by booking an appointment at a Visa Application Centre in your current country. The appointment will include collecting your fingerprints, facial photograph and signature. The UK government website has a list of addresses for each eligible country.

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