ILR - BNO Visa UK

• Page Contents
• Overview
• Requirements For ILR As A BNO
• Absences From The UK
• How Can We Help?
• Our Fixed Fees

You can apply for ILR as a BNO status holder after you have completed 5 years residence in the UK under BNO visa category in combination with any other settlement visa categories which lead to ILR. To qualify for ILR as a BNO status holder after 5 years, You must meet the requirement of continuous residence in the UK and not be absent from the UK for more than 180 days in any 12- months period. One year after the grant of Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a BNO, you can apply for either naturalisation as a British Citizen or for registration as a British Citizen.

An application for ILR as a BNO is made in accordance with requirements as set out in Appendix Hong Kong British National (Overseas) of the Immigration Rules. An application for ILR as a BNO can only be submitted using standard service as the Home Office UKVI do not offer Priority or Super Priority Service option for ILR application as a BNO status holder.

Our specialist team of immigration solicitors in London can provide expert immigration advice and legal representations on fixed fee basis for your application for ILR as a BNO. Ask a question online to our specialist team of BNO visa solicitors for free immigration advice online or book an appointment online for a detailed immigration advice and consultation with one of our BNO visa solicitors concerning your application for ILR as a BNO.

Requirements For ILR As A BN(O) Citizen

The applicant shbould meet the following requirements to qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a BNO status holder:

• The applicant must make a valid application for ILR as a BNO;
• The applicant must have spent a continuous period of 5 years with permission on a route in these rules under which a person can settle, of which the most recent grant of permission must have been on the Hong Kong BN(O) route;
• The applicant must meet the continuous residence requirement as specified in Appendix Continuous Residence;
• The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part 9: grounds for refusal;
• The applicant must not be:
  • in breach of immigration laws, except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
  • on immigration bail.
• Unless an exemption applies, the applicant must show English language ability on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in speaking and listening to at least level B1. The applicant must show they meet the English Language requirement as specified in Appendix English Language;
• If the applicant is aged 18 or over, and under 65 on the date of application, they must meet the Knowledge of Life in the UK requirement as specified in Appendix KOL UK;

Absences From The UK For ILR As A BNO

To qualify for ILR as a BNO, you must meet the requirements of continuous residence which means you cannot have had more than 180 days’ absence from the United Kingdom during any consecutive 12 month period within the 5 year period. You will need to list details of your absences from the United Kingdom, including the reasons for those absences, on your application form for ILR as a BN(O) status holder. You can include the time between your entry clearance being granted and you entering the United Kingdom as part of your continuous period. Absences between the date entry clearance is granted and the date you enter the United Kingdom are treated as an absence from the United Kingdom and will form part of the 180 days allowed within a continuous 12-month period.

How Can We Help With Your ILR  Application?

Our expert team of immigration solicitors in London can provide expert immigration advice and legal representations on fixed fee for your application for ILR as a BNO status holder. Our immigration solicitors will carry out all the work until decision is made by the Home Office UKVI on your ILR application. The immigration casework to be carried out by our immigration solicitors on your ILR application will entail the following:

• Our immigration solicitors will assess your eligibility for ILR as a BN(O) citizen by considering all your personal circumstances;
• Our immigration solicitors will advise you on the weaknesses and strengths of your ILR application as a BN(O) citizen;
• Our immigration solicitors will advise you on the relevant documents to be submitted in support of your ILR application;
• Our immigration solicitors will assess your documents to ensure that the documentary evidence is as per requirements of the Home Office UKVI immigration Rules;
• Our immigration solicitors will complete and submit the online application form to apply for ILR as a BN(O) citizen by gathering all the relevant information from you;
• Our immigration solicitors will help you with paying the ILR application fee for your application;
• Our immigration solicitors will book your appointment with the application centre for verification of documents and enrolment of your biometrics;
• Our immigration solicitors will prepare a detailed cover letter to introduce and support your ILR application;
• Our immigration solicitors will upload online all the relevant supporting documents before you attend your appointment for enrolment of your biometrics;
• Our immigration solicitors will liaise with the Home Office UKVI for a timely decision on your ILR application.

Our Fixed Fees For ILR As A BNO

• Our immigration solicitors will charge a fixed fee ranging from £1,000 to £1,500 (no VAT) for your ILR application as a BNO. The agreed fixed will depend on the complexity of the application and the volume of work involved in your application for ILR as a BNO.
• Our fixed fee for the application does not cover any disbursements e.g. UKVI fee for the application and the applicant has to separately pay the Home office UKVI fees for the application.