British National (Overseas) visa: Hong Kong citizen in United States → United Kingdom
British nationals (overseas) from Hong Kong living in the United States need a UK British National (Overseas) visa — apply online on gov.uk and give biometrics at a UK visa application centre in the United States.
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.
When to start
Start 30 days–2 months before your travel date.
Getting an appointment in United States
- 38 centre locations nationwide plus premium centres (VFS directory, captured 2026-06-11). Ten are full-service Mon–Fri: New York, Washington DC, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, Boston, Miami, Seattle; the rest (Phoenix, Denver, Dallas, Portland, Philadelphia and more) run limited schedules.
- With this density, comparing two or three cities usually finds a near-term slot.
- No recent public wait-time reports found for the US — the band below is general guidance.
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.
If you're applying from outside the UK, your permanent home must be in Hong Kong.
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.
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.
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
Because you live in the USA, you apply at a UK Visa Application Centre in the US — not in your home country. There are UK visa application centres in 30+ US cities (including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Washington DC, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia and Seattle). Use the official VFS US centre directory (linked below) to find and book the one nearest you.
- UK Visa Application Centres — United States — serves 30+ locations across the US — find and book your nearest
Fees
| BNO visa (2 years and 6 months) | GBP 206 |
| BNO visa (5 years) | GBP 285 |
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.