How to Apply for a BNO Dependant Visa

By Amar Ali, Immigration Solicitor

October 25, 2022

The BNO Dependant visa allows immediate family members of British National (Overseas) (BNO) visa holders from Hong Kong to come to the UK. A dependant of a BNO visa holder can include:

A married or civil partner
An unmarried partner
A child or grandchild under 18
A child aged 18 or older who was born on or after 1^st July 1997 (including their partner or child under the age of 18)
A parent, grandparent, brother, sister, son, or daughter (aged 18 or over) living with and dependant on the BNO visa holder due to illness, disability, or age

BNO Dependant visas are typically granted for the same duration as the main BNO visa holder; either 30 months or 5 years. BNO Dependant visas can also be further extended, and after 5 continuous years in the UK, holders can apply for indefinite leave to remain (ILR).

Once in the UK, BNO dependents have the right to work, study, and travel freely.

It is important to note that an application for a BNO Dependant visa can only be considered once the primary BNO visa application has been submitted.

BNO Dependant visa requirements

Family members must meet certain relationship requirements depending on whether they are applying as a:

BNO Dependant visa as a partner
BNO Dependant visa as a child
BNO Dependant visa as an adult relative

BNO Dependant visa for partners

To apply as a BNO Dependant visa partner, you must meet the following requirements:

Be 18 years or over, and
Be a dependant partner of the BNO visa holder or a dependant of the BNO visa holder’s adult child, and
Be married, in a civil partnership, or have been living with the BNO visa holder or their adult child for at least 2 years.

BNO Dependant visa for children

BNO Dependant visa children must meet the following visa requirements:

Apply with both parents unless one parent
- has sole responsibility for them
- has a BNO visa already
- has indefinite leave to remain or is a British citizen

To meet the criteria as a dependant, a child must:

live with the main BNO visa holder unless they are at university, they attend boarding school, or they are applying after the BNO visa holder moved to the UK
Have been born on or after 1^st July 1997 if they are a BNO visa dependant over 18 years

BNO Dependant visa for adult relatives

BNO visa adult dependant visa and BNO visa dependant parent applicants must:

Be 18 years or over
Be a parent or grandparent, brother or sister, son or daughter of the main BNO visa holder
Live with the BNO visa holder or their partner
Be dependant on the BNO visa holder for long-term personal care for everyday tasks as a result of illness, disability, or age
Show they cannot access or afford the care they need in Hong Kong

Those who are eligible can apply for an adult dependant relative visa.

Financial requirements

You will also need to show that you have sufficient funds to support your dependant partner and/or children, as follows:

£3,100 as a couple with a child
£4,600 as a couple with 3 children
£9,200 as a couple with 2 parents and 2 adult children

BNO Dependant visa documents

Applicants will be asked to provide certain documents to support their BNO visa dependant application; this may include:

Passport
Global Web Form (GWF) or a Unique Application Number (UAN) of the main BNO visa holder.
Birth certificate
Marriage certificate, certificate of civil partnership, or they have been living together for 2 more years – e.g. bills or bank account showing shared finances.
Proof of permanent address in Hong Kong, the UK, Channel Islands, or Isle of Man – e.g. household or utility bills, residence permit or other immigration document, bank statements, payslips, or a recent P60.
Evidence of sole parental responsibility – e.g. a court letter.
Evidence that the child lives away at school or university – e.g. letter from their educational establishment.
Evidence that an adult relative is dependant on the BNO visa holder or their partner for care – e.g. letter from a GP / doctor.
Evidence that suitable or affordable care is not available in Hong Kong - e.g. letter from a GP / doctor.
Proof of sufficient financial means: e.g. evidence of income (payslips) and savings (bank statements) or an offer of financial help from friends or family.

How to apply for BNO Dependant visa

The process of applying for a BNO Dependant visa depends on whether your family member is based inside or outside the UK, as follows:

Complete and submit the online application form – the form you need to complete depends on whether you are inside the UK¹ or outside the UK².
Pay the application fee and healthcare surcharge:
1. Application fee: £180 if applying for 2 years and 6 months or £250 if applying for 5 years
2. Healthcare surcharge: Adults: £2,587.50 for 2 years and 6 months or £5,175 for 5 years. Children (under 18): £1,940 for 2 years and 6 months or ££3,880 for 5 years.
Upload any documents required by the Home Office.
Book and attend a biometric appointment at your nearest UKVCAS / Visa Application Centre or use the UK Immigration: ID Check’ mobile app to scan your BNO or Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passport.

Applications submitted from inside or outside the UK can take up to 12 weeks to process. If submitted outside the UK, your family member will need to travel to the UK within 90 days of approval of their visa.

How can Reiss Edwards help?

As a leading immigration solicitor based in Central London, we can assist with all aspects of your family member’s BNO Dependant visa, including:

Checking eligibility for a BNO Dependant visa.
Advising if your family member has any other immigration options available to them.
Handle your family member’s application for a BNO Dependant visa on their behalf.
Help overcome any issues with a BNO Dependant visa and handle the refusal of a BNO Dependant visa.
Advise on settling permanently in the UK with your partner and children and gaining British citizenship by naturalisation.

References

¹ GOV.UK: Application within the UK

²GOV.UK: Application outside the UK