According to the UK government, the new visa application for Hong Kong BN(O) status holders will open on 31 Jan 2021. Those with BN(O) status and their eligible family members will be able to come to the UK to live, study and work. After five years in the UK, they will be able to apply for settlement, followed by British citizenship after a further 12 months.

Source: UK Government

Date: 29 Jan 2021

Applicants for the visa with certain biometric passports will also be able to apply from home using a smartphone app to scan their passport rather than having to visit a visa application centre.

From 23 February, BN(O) status holders and their eligible family members who hold a biometric BN(O), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or European Economic Area (EEA) passport can scan their passport on the app and complete their application from home. They will be the first non-EEA citizens to be able to do so.

In addition to the Immigration Health Surcharge, the visa fee payable to stay for five years will be £250 per person or applicants will also be able to apply to stay for 30 months which will cost £180 per person.