Switching Into BNO Visa UK

• Page Contents
• Overview
• Requirements For Switching Into BNO Visa UK
• Period and Conditions of Grant
• How Can We Help?
• Our Fixed Fees

You can apply for switching into BNO visa from inside the UK if you are a Hong Kong BN(O) status holder who is lawfully and ordinarily resident in the UK. If you are already in the UK under another type of UK visa, you can apply for switching into BNO visa from inside the UK. An application for switching into BNO visa UK is made in accordance with requirements as set out in Appendix Hong Kong British National (Overseas) of the Immigration Rules. An application for switching into BNO visa can only be submitted using standard service as the Home Office UKVI do not offer Priority or Super Priority Service option for this application.

You can apply for switching into BNO visa for either 30 months or for 60 months and upon completion of 5 years residence in the UK, you will qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) as a BNO. After one year of grant of ILR as a BNO, you will be able to apply for naturalisation as a British Citizen or registration as British Citizenship.

Our specialist team of immigration solicitors in London can provide expert immigration advice and legal representations on fixed fee basis concerning your application for switching into BNO visa UK from inside the UK. 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 switching into BNO visa from inside the UK.

Requirements For Switching Into BN(O) Visa UK

The applicant must meet the following requirements to successfully switch into BNO visa from inside the UK:

• The applicant must submit a valid application for switching into BNO visa;
• The applicant must be aged 18 years or over on the date of application;
• The applicant must be a British National (Overseas) under the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986;
• The applicant must be ordinarily resident in the UK, the Bailiwick of Guernsey, Bailiwick of Jersey, the Isle of Man or Hong Kong on the date of application;
• If the applicant has been living in the UK for 12 months or more on the date of application, they will meet the financial requirement. If the applicant has been in the UK for less than 12 months on the date of application, the decision maker must be satisfied that the applicant can adequately maintain and accommodate themselves without recourse to public funds for at least 6 months.
• 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.
• If the applicant is applying for permission to stay and:
  • their last grant of permission was for 6 months or less; and
  • the applicant was present in a country listed in Appendix T of these rules for more than six months immediately prior to their last grant of permission,

Period and Conditions Of Grant Of BNO Visa

The applicant will be granted permission for either:

• a period of 5 years, where the applicant has applied for a period of 5 years; or
• a period of 30 months, where the applicant has applied for a period of 30 months.

The permission will be granted subject to the following conditions:

• no access to public funds; and
• work (including self-employment and voluntary work) permitted except for employment as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach); and
• study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS.

How Can We Help For Switching Into BN(O) Visa?

Our specialist team of BN(O) visa solicitors can provide expert immigration advice and legal representations on fixed fee basis for your application for switching into BNO visa from inside the UK. The immigration caseworker to be carried out by our immigration solicitors in relation to your application will entail the the following:

• Our immigration solicitors will assess your eligibility for switching into BN(O) visa from inside the UK by considering all the relevant eligibility requirements;
• Our immigration solicitors will advise you on relevant documents to be submitted in support of your application for switching into BN(O) visa;
• Our immigration solicitors will assess the documentary evidence to ensure that the documents are in line with the Home Office UKVI requirements for switching into BN(O) visa from inside the UK;
• Our immigration solicitors will complete online application form for switching into BN(O) visa from inside the UK;
• Our immigration solicitors will prepare a detailed cover letter in support of your application to explain in detail how all the relevant requirements for switching into BN(O) visa have been satisfied by the applicant;
• Our immigration solicitors will submit the application online, paying the Home Office UKVI fees for the application and booking applicant's appointment with the UKVCAS application centre;
• Our immigration solicitors will upload all the supporting documents online in support of the application;
• Our immigration solicitors will do all the follow-up work including responding to any queries raised by the Home Office UKVI until decision is reached on your application.

Our Fixed Fees For Switching Into BNO Visa UK

• Our immigration solicitors will charge a fixed fee ranging from £1,000 to £1,500 (no VAT) for your application for switching into BNO visa UK. The agreed fixed will depend on the complexity of the application and the volume of work involved in your application for switching into BNO visa UK.
• 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.