BNO Dependent Visa UK Guide

The British National (Overseas) (BNO) dependent visa provides a route for family members of BNO status holders to relocate to the UK. It plays a key role in maintaining family unity, allowing partners, children, and in some cases, other relatives to join the main applicant under the BNO visa scheme.

What this article is about: This guide explains the BNO dependent visa in detail. It covers eligibility criteria, application requirements, evidential documents, rights and restrictions, and the path to settlement. Employers, families, and applicants will find practical insights into how the scheme works, what documents are needed, and how dependants can secure long-term residence in the UK.

Section A: What is the BNO Dependent Visa?

The BNO dependent visa is part of the wider British National (Overseas) visa scheme introduced in January 2021 in response to political changes in Hong Kong. The scheme enables BNO status holders, their partners, and their dependent children to live, work, and study in the UK.

Dependants apply alongside the main BNO applicant or as ‘joining family members’ after the BNO visa holder has already moved to the UK. The visa ensures that families are not separated, reflecting the UK Government’s commitment to supporting BNO status holders and their close relatives.

The dependent route covers partners, children under 18, adult children born on or after 1 July 1997 (in certain circumstances), and in exceptional cases, other family members with a high level of dependency as part of the same household. Each applicant must meet eligibility and evidential requirements, but the scheme is structured to allow families to migrate together.

Section A Summary

The BNO dependent visa is designed to preserve family unity for BNO status holders relocating to the UK. It forms part of the UK’s wider BNO scheme, extending access to immediate family members and, in limited cases, other dependants with exceptional dependency.

Section B: Eligibility Requirements

The eligibility rules for BNO dependants are designed to ensure that only genuine family members and dependants of a BNO status holder can benefit from the route. Applicants must demonstrate both their relationship to the main visa holder and their dependency, where applicable.

1. Who qualifies as a dependant

Dependants include:

• Partners: married, civil partners, or unmarried partners who have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage for at least two years.
• Children under 18: biological, adopted, or step-children.
• Adult children: born on or after 1 July 1997 and forming part of the same household as the BNO status holder. Their partners and children may also qualify.
• Other family members: in exceptional cases, adult relatives with a high level of dependency and who form part of the same household, such as elderly parents or disabled relatives.

2. Relationship evidence requirements

Applicants must provide documentary proof of their relationship with the BNO status holder. Acceptable evidence includes:

• Marriage or civil partnership certificates for partners.
• Evidence of cohabitation for unmarried partners, such as joint tenancy agreements, utility bills, or bank statements covering at least two years.
• Birth or adoption certificates for children.
• Medical records or dependency statements for extended family dependants.

3. Age and dependency considerations for children

For children under 18, eligibility is usually straightforward, provided their parent is a BNO visa holder or applying at the same time. Children aged 18 or over must show they were born after 1 July 1997, continue to live with their parents, and are financially dependent on them. Where adult children have partners or children of their own, those family members may also qualify under the scheme.

4. Financial and accommodation requirements

BNO dependants must demonstrate that they can be adequately accommodated and supported in the UK without recourse to public funds. There is no set minimum income threshold, but applicants may still need to show bank statements, payslips, or evidence of available funds. Accommodation details, such as tenancy agreements or property ownership documents, may also be required.

Section B Summary

Eligibility for the BNO dependent visa is primarily based on family relationship and dependency. While partners and children form the main applicant group, adult children and other relatives may also qualify in certain circumstances, provided the necessary evidence of dependency is supplied.

Section C: Application Process

Applying for a BNO dependent visa follows similar steps to the main BNO visa, but dependants must provide additional evidence to prove their relationship to the BNO status holder. Applications are typically made online, with each family member completing their own form.

1. How to apply for the BNO dependent visa

Applications must be submitted through the official UK Government website. Dependants can apply at the same time as the BNO main applicant or separately to join them later. Each applicant completes an individual form, pays the relevant fees, and uploads supporting evidence.

Applicants outside the UK will usually apply online before attending a visa application centre (VAC) to submit biometrics and supporting documents. Those inside the UK may apply to switch into this category from another eligible visa, provided they meet the requirements.

2. Supporting documents and evidential requirements

Supporting evidence depends on the relationship type. Typical documents include:

• Valid passports or travel documents.
• Proof of relationship (marriage, civil partnership, or birth certificates).
• Evidence of cohabitation for unmarried partners.
• Financial and accommodation documents.
• Tuberculosis (TB) test results, if applying from a listed country.
• Immigration history, including details of previous visas or refusals.

All documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by certified translations.

3. Biometrics and processing times

As part of the application, dependants must enrol biometrics — fingerprints and a digital photograph — at a UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) centre in the UK, or a visa application centre overseas.

Processing times generally take around 12 weeks for applications made outside the UK, although complex cases can take longer. Applications made inside the UK may also take several months, depending on caseload. Priority or super-priority services may be available in certain locations for faster decisions.

4. Application fees and Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS)

Applicants must pay:

• Application fee: set at the same rate as the main BNO visa. Each dependant must pay this individually.
• Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS): giving access to NHS services during the visa period. The IHS is payable upfront for the full length of the visa.

Applicants should budget for both the visa fee and IHS, as well as any translation or document certification costs.

Section C Summary

The BNO dependent visa application process involves an online application, payment of fees, and submission of supporting evidence. Dependants must also attend biometric appointments. While processing can take several months, the route is structured to allow families to apply together or separately, ensuring flexibility for different family circumstances.

Section D: Rights, Conditions & Settlement

The BNO dependent visa grants a range of rights to family members of BNO status holders, but it also comes with certain conditions. Understanding these rights and restrictions is key for planning life in the UK and preparing for settlement.

1. Work and study rights for BNO dependants

Dependants on this visa are allowed to:

• Work in the UK without restriction, including employment, self-employment, and voluntary work.
• Study in the UK, including higher education and professional training.

There are no limits on sectors or working hours, making this one of the more flexible visa categories compared with other UK immigration routes.

2. Conditions and restrictions on the visa

While the visa offers broad rights, it carries conditions:

• No recourse to public funds: dependants cannot access most welfare benefits.
• Requirement to pay IHS: to access NHS services.
• Compliance with UK law: any criminal conviction or immigration breach may affect future applications.

3. Extension applications and continuous residence

The visa is typically granted for a period of 2.5 years (30 months) or 5 years, depending on the option chosen at application. Applicants must ensure they extend their visa before expiry if they wish to remain in the UK and have not yet qualified for settlement.

Continuous lawful residence is required for settlement. Absences from the UK should generally not exceed 180 days in any rolling 12-month period, in line with broader immigration rules on ILR.

4. Path to Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) and British citizenship

Dependants, like the main BNO visa holder, may qualify for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years of continuous residence.

ILR applicants must show:

• They have lived lawfully in the UK for the required period.
• They meet the absence limits.
• They have passed the Life in the UK Test and meet the English language requirement (if aged 18-64).

After holding ILR for 12 months, dependants may be eligible to apply for British citizenship, subject to meeting the naturalisation requirements, including good character and residence criteria. Where a dependant is married to a British citizen, they may apply immediately after being granted ILR without the additional 12-month wait.

Section D Summary

The BNO dependent visa gives family members extensive rights to live, work, and study in the UK, but requires compliance with immigration conditions. After 5 years, dependants may progress to ILR and later British citizenship, offering a pathway to permanent settlement.

FAQs

Can adult children apply as BNO dependants?

Yes. Adult children born on or after 1 July 1997 can apply if they are part of the same household as the BNO status holder. Their partners and children may also qualify when applying as part of the same household group.

Do dependants need to apply at the same time as the main BNO applicant?

No. Dependants can apply alongside the main applicant or later as ‘joining family members’, provided they continue to meet the relationship and household requirements and supply the required evidence.

What financial and accommodation evidence is needed?

There is no fixed income threshold, but the family must show they can be maintained and accommodated in the UK without recourse to public funds. Typical evidence includes recent bank statements, payslips, employment letters, and a tenancy agreement or proof of property ownership.

How long can BNO dependants stay in the UK?

Applicants can choose either 2.5 years (30 months) or 5 years at the outset. After 5 years of continuous lawful residence, they may be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

Can BNO dependants switch into other UK visa categories?

Yes, switching may be possible if they meet the eligibility criteria of the new category and apply before their current permission expires.

How long do applications take to process?

Standard processing for overseas applications is around 12 weeks, though some cases may take longer. In-country applications can also take several months. Priority services may be available in some locations.

What are the English language and Life in the UK requirements?

For ILR, adult applicants generally must meet the English language requirement and pass the Life in the UK Test (unless exempt). These do not usually apply at the initial visa stage.

Conclusion

The BNO dependent visa enables close family members to relocate, live, work, and study in the UK alongside a BNO status holder. While evidential standards are rigorous—particularly for adult children and extended family—the route is designed to keep households together and offers a clear pathway to ILR after five years, followed by eligibility for British citizenship subject to meeting the naturalisation rules. Careful preparation of relationship, household, financial, and accommodation evidence will support a smooth application and long-term settlement planning.

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