After you've lived in the UK for 5 years, you can apply to live in the UK permanently.

British National (Overseas) visa: Hong Kong citizen in Hong Kong → United Kingdom

🇭🇰 nationality: Hong Kong🇭🇰 lives in: Hong Kong🇬🇧 going to: United Kingdomupdated 2026-06-19

British nationals (overseas) aged 18 or older whose permanent home is in Hong Kong can apply online for a BNO visa to live, work and study in the UK for 2 years and 6 months or 5 years, and apply to live in the UK permanently after 5 years.

What this visa is for

Lets British nationals (overseas), and the children of British nationals (overseas) born on or after 1 July 1979, come to live, work and study in the UK and apply to settle after 5 years.

Validity: You can apply to stay for either 2 years and 6 months or 5 years.
Entries: Multiple entry for the duration of your visa.
Max stay per visit: You can apply to stay for either 2 years and 6 months or 5 years.

official source →

When to start

Start 30 days–2 months before your travel date.

The low end assumes your paperwork is ready, you get an appointment within ~3 days and the decision arrives in the standard time. The high end leaves margin for gathering documents and waiting for a slot. You can apply at most 90 days ahead. In peak season (April–August (summer travel) and before major holidays), appointment waits alone can reach ~21 days — start at the high end.

Getting an appointment in Hong Kong

General guidance · checked 2026-06-11 · slot waits typically 3–14 days, up to ~21 in busy periods

VFS releases appointment slots up to ~90 days ahead; if you see “No slots available”, new slots are often added — retry over the next few days.
You can book any centre in your country of residence — a centre in another city often has earlier slots.

Reported by:

Pick your travel date — every deadline below updates instantly:

When do you want to travel?

You're on track — start by 20 Jul 2026 to be ready in time.

Confirm you're eligible for a BNO visastart by 20 Jul 2026

You can apply if you're 18 or older and either a British national (overseas), or the child of a British national (overseas) born on or after 1 July 1979.

takes ~1 day

Source: gov.uk · updated 2026-06-19

Confirm your permanent homestart by 30 Jul 2026

If you're applying from outside the UK, your permanent home must be in Hong Kong.

takes ~1 day

Source: gov.uk · updated 2026-06-19

Choose your visa length and paystart by 19 Aug 2026

Decide whether to apply for 2 years and 6 months or 5 years. It costs £206 if you're applying for 2 years and 6 months, or £285 if you're applying for 5 years.

GBP 285takes ~1 day

Source: gov.uk · updated 2026-06-19

Apply from overseas and wait before travellingstart by 8 Sept 2026

You can apply for the BNO visa from overseas, but you should wait for a decision on your application before you travel to the UK.

depends on where you livetakes ~1 day

Source: gov.uk · updated 2026-06-19

What you'll need

Passport / travel document — A valid passport or other travel document that shows your identity and nationality. ✓ verified
Proof of home address — Up to 3 documents that show your home address. ✓ verified
Proof of funds — Evidence you have enough money to support yourself and your family (dependants) for 6 months in the UK. ✓ verified
Tuberculosis (TB) certificate — A TB certificate, if required based on where you've lived for the past 6 months. ✓ verified· you're from a country where you must take the TB test

Where you'll apply

Apply online from overseas while your permanent home is in Hong Kong, then prove your identity and provide your documents before you travel.

Apply on the official site (gov.uk) →

Fees

BNO visa (2 years and 6 months) It costs £206 if you're applying for 2 years and 6 months.	GBP 206
BNO visa (5 years) It costs £285 if you're applying for 5 years. Healthcare surcharge also payable.	GBP 285

Government fees from the official gov.uk page. Confirm the current amounts on gov.uk.

Gotchas to watch

After you've lived in the UK for 5 years, you can apply to live in the UK permanently.
You can apply for the BNO visa from overseas, but you should wait for a decision on your application before you travel to the UK.