What is BNO Visa?

The scheme is a post-Brexit initiative to ensure people are welcomed into the UK. The BNO visa enables those from Hong Kong to relocate for work or education and is a popular option for many. Once the application is successful, those seeking to work in the country will be eligible for a UK work permit. In contrast, others may take advantage of world-class educational facilities at some top universities. The process takes an average of six weeks, and with around £12,000 of fees for a family of four, applications will need a financial cushion.

Why are People Leaving Hong Kong?

Many people are choosing to leave Hong Kong for a better life, but also because politics in Hong Kong have made domesticity very unappealing. Once accepted, those coming to the UK on a BNO visa application can apply for citizenship after just five years, which is significantly less time than somewhere like Canada. Applicants come from a wide range of backgrounds, with many bringing skills in management and other professional roles. So far, virtually all applications have come from working-age people looking for employment, and most of these had completed university education and worked in professional roles.

Why Choose the UK?

The regulations and criteria seem to be a driving force for Hong Kong nationals seeking a better life. Despite the UK experiencing a high cost of living rise, the political instability is still reason enough to leave. The financial impact of the visa application is also seen as very reasonable compared to others. It costs just £250 to apply, plus the mandatory NHS surcharge, which is set at £3,120 per adult and £2,350 per child. This works well for the UK as the government strives to appeal to International talent after its workforce was hit when EU workers were binned during Brexit.

What are the Positives of This Situation?

So, does this arrangement offer something for everyone? It seems so. The economy will benefit from new skilled workers who can bring something new to the roles they take up, and the government has said this is an essential facet of the scheme. For those moving into the country, the attraction is freedom. Many parents have said that their children can be free to play in the street, attend good schools, and not live in fear of tyranny. Indeed, of those already settling in the UK, 96% said that they have no reason to want to return to Hong Kong and will be looking to pay the £2,389 at the end of five years to get their indefinite leave to remain granted, with a further £1,206 in their sixth year to complete their British citizenship application.

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Processing Time

Routine applications will normally be finalised within two to three weeks upon receipt of all necessary documents.

Application Form

Applicants must submit a completed and signed form ID 91. If the applicant is under the age of 16, the form should be signed by the applicant’s parent or legal guardian. For applicants on dependant status, form ID 481A which is duly completed and signed by the sponsor should also be submitted. If the applicant is the spouse or the other party to a same-sex civil partnership, same-sex civil union, “same-sex marriage”, opposite-sex civil partnership or opposite-sex civil union entered into by him/her in accordance with the local law in force of the place of celebration and with such status being legally and officially recognised by the local authorities of the place of celebration ^Note of the sponsor, the applicant should complete and sign form ID 481B. All of these forms can be obtained free of charge from the Immigration Department Headquarters and the Immigration Branch Offices.

The forms can also be downloaded here.

Supporting Documents

Depending on the applicant’s current immigration status, the following forms and documents (original) are required upon submission of the application:

1. General Employment Policy Entrants
2. Forms/Documents Required
3. Original and photocopy of the applicant’s valid travel document and, where applicable, his/her previous travel document page showing the latest visa/entry permit label/arrival stamp/landing slip/extension of stay label in the HKSARPhotocopy of the applicant’s Hong Kong identity cardCompleted form ID 91Supporting letter from the current employer stating the applicant’s position, total monthly remuneration and period of employment^@Completed form ID 990B and supporting documents listed in Part VII(B) of the Guidebook for Entry for Employment as Professionals in Hong Kong [ID(E) 991]^{^}Documentary proof of the applicant having an assessable income for salaries tax of not less than HK$2 million in the previous year of tax assessment, e.g. notice of salaries tax assessment of the previous tax assessment year issued by the Inland Revenue Department or relevant tax documents*@For extension of stay without change of employment^For extension of stay with change of employment*For extension of stay applications under the top-tier employment stream
4. Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents EntrantsForms/Documents RequiredOriginal and photocopy of the applicant’s valid travel document and, where applicable, his/her previous travel document page showing the latest visa/entry permit label/arrival stamp/landing slip/extension of stay label in the HKSARPhotocopy of the applicant’s Hong Kong identity cardCompleted form ID 91Completed form ID 990B and supporting documents listed in Part VII(B) of the Guidebook for Entry for Employment as Professionals in Hong Kong [ID(E) 991]^{^}Supporting letter from the current employer stating the applicant’s position, total monthly remuneration and period of employment*^For first time extension and subsequent extension with change of employer*For subsequent extension without change of employer
5. EntrepreneursForms/Documents RequiredOriginal and photocopy of the applicant’s valid travel document and, where applicable, his/her previous travel document page showing the latest visa/entry permit label/arrival stamp/landing slip/extension of stay label in the HKSARPhotocopy of the applicant’s Hong Kong identity cardCompleted form ID 91Supporting letter from the current company stating the applicant’s contribution to Hong Kong (including the amount of capital invested and to be invested in the coming three years, the number of posts created for local employees with post titles and those to be created in the coming three years, etc.)Photocopy of Business Registration CertificateLetter indicating valid support by a government-backed programme**For applicants who wish to establish or join in, or has established or joined, in a start-up business supported by a government-backed programme. For examples of government-backed programmes, please refer to paragraph 3(c)(ii) of Part II of the Guidebook for Entry for Investment as Entrepreneurs in Hong Kong [ID(E) 1000]
6. Non-Mainland StudentsForms/Documents RequiredOriginal and photocopy of the applicant’s valid travel document and, where applicable, his/her previous travel document page showing the latest visa/entry permit label/arrival stamp/landing slip/extension of stay label in the HKSARPhotocopy of the applicant’s Hong Kong identity cardCompleted form ID 91Current school letter addressed to the Immigration Department confirming that the student requires extension of stay to continue study
7. DependantsForms/Documents RequiredOriginal and photocopy of the applicant’s valid travel document and, where applicable, his/her previous travel document page showing the latest visa/entry permit label/arrival stamp/landing slip/extension of stay label in the HKSARPhotocopy of the applicant’s Hong Kong identity cardCompleted form ID 91Photocopy of the sponsor’s valid travel document (showing personal particulars and current permission of stay) or Hong Kong Permanent Identity CardCompleted form ID 481ACompleted form ID 481B (for dependent spouse or the other party to a same-sex civil partnership, same-sex civil union, “same-sex marriage”, opposite-sex civil partnership or opposite-sex civil union entered into by him/her in accordance with the local law in force of the place of celebration and with such status being legally and officially recognised by the local authorities of the place of celebration ^Note)Applicant’s birth certificate (for children born in the HKSAR to non-permanent residents only) *Applicant’s Form ID 235B (for children born in the HKSAR to non-permanent residents only) *Parents’ marriage certificate (for children born in the HKSAR to non-permanent residents only) **For first time application only

Notwithstanding that the documents and information required have been furnished, applicants may still be required to submit further supporting documents and information in connection with the application(s) when necessary.

Where a document is not in Chinese or English, it must be accompanied by a Chinese or English translation certified as a true translation by a sworn translator, court translator, authorised public translator, certified translator, expert translator or official translator.

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By Air

The award-winning Hong Kong International Airport on Lantau Island commenced operations in July 1998. The 24-hour airport is connected to about 220 destinations all over the world through about 1,100 daily flights serviced by more than 120 airlines. There is also a cross-boundary helicopter shuttle service travelling between Hong Kong and Macao. It’s just 15 minutes from Macau Maritime Terminal to the Heliport at Hong Kong-Macau Ferry Terminal.

By Sea

The two world-class cruise infrastructures, Kai Tak Cruise Terminal and Ocean Terminal, receive international cruise ships at the spectacular Victoria Harbour. In addition, Hong Kong is also linked to a number of ports in Mainland China by high-speed ferries servicing Hong Kong Island, Kowloon and Hong Kong International Airport.

By Land

Mass Transit Railway (MTR) runs regular through-train intercity services between Hong Kong and Guangdong province, Beijing and Shanghai in Mainland China. The through-train terminus is MTR Hung Hom Station. A trip of just one hour and 50 minutes will take travellers from Hung Hom to Guangzhou East.

Hong Kong travellers coming to and from Shenzhen in Mainland China via the Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau checkpoints can take a local MTR train into town after passing through Hong Kong Immigration.

Cross-border coach services are also available between Hong Kong and key cities in southern China via five major road-based land crossings in Hong Kong: Shenzhen Bay Port, Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To, Sha Tau Kok and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

Major infrastructure developments, including the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) and the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong High-Speed Rail (Hong Kong section), also connect Hong Kong with Macao and Mainland China. The High-Speed Rail runs from West Kowloon and connects passengers to the national high-speed rail network.

Travel Tips

Entry Regulations: In general, all visitors to Hong Kong must have a passport that is valid for at least one month after the period of their intended stay in Hong Kong. All potential visitors are strongly advised to check with their Chinese embassy and consulate, or the Hong Kong Immigration Department, for full details of passport and visa requirements.

Visas: Travellers from more than 160 countries can enjoy visa-free visits to Hong Kong for periods varying from seven to 180 days. Visitors are required to have adequate funds to cover their stay without working, and to hold an onward or return ticket (unless in transit to Mainland China or Macao).

144-hour Convenient Visa to Guangdong Province: Foreign nationals in Hong Kong can visit Guangdong province for a maximum of 144 hours (six days) via entry ports in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Huizhou and Shantou* using the 144-hour Convenient Visa.

To be eligible for the 144-hour Convenient Visa, visitors:

1. Must join a tour organised by a registered Hong Kong travel agent
2. Must travel in a group consisting of a minimum of two persons and a maximum of 40 persons
3. Can have a choice of ports of entry or exit in Guangdong province, except Shantou*
4. Must enter and leave the areas together in their group via the ports of entry stated above

*must enter and exit via the same port

At the ports of entry and exit in Guangdong Province, immigration officers will examine passports and the name list of the group. Group members will not be required to fill in any immigration cards for passport stamping.

The above policy is applicable to ordinary passport holders of nations with diplomatic relations with China.

Arrival/ Departure: Generally, visitors are required to complete an Arrival/Departure card for immigration examination. Frequent visitors to Hong Kong can enjoy the convenience of computerised self-service e-Channels, which provide quick and easy immigration clearance.

Duty-free Concessions for Incoming Passengers: The duty-free concessions granted to a passenger are as follows:

1. 1 litre of alcoholic liquor with an alcoholic strength above 30% by volume measured at a temperature of 20˚C; and
2. 19 cigarettes or 1 cigar (or 25 grams of cigars), or 25 grams of other manufactured tobacco

An incoming passenger aged 18 or above is allowed to bring into Hong Kong the above goods free of duty for his/her own use. If the passenger holds a Hong Kong Identity Card, he/she must have spent 24 hours or longer outside Hong Kong (applies to liquor only).

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