British National (Overseas) visa

Skip to contents of guide

Documents you’ll need to apply

When you apply you’ll need to provide a valid passport or other travel document that shows your identity and nationality.

If you’re a British national (overseas), you can use a current or expired BNO passport (or a photocopy) to show your BNO status when you apply.

If you no longer have a BNO passport you can still apply. The Home Office will check your status but it may take longer to get a decision on your application.

You do not need a BNO passport to travel to the UK. You can use any valid passport or travel document.

You’ll also need to provide evidence:

  • that you live in Hong Kong, the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man

  • that you have enough money to support yourself and your family

  • of your relationship with family members

  • of your tuberculosis (TB) test certificate, if you did not already provide it when you arrived in the UK

You must provide a certified translation of any documents that are not in English.

Applying as the adult child of a British national (overseas)

If you’re applying as the child of a British national (overseas) aged 18 or older (and born on or after 1 July 1997) you’ll also need to prove that one of your parents has BNO status.

You’ll need to provide:

  • your parent’s current or expired passport (or a photocopy)
  • a birth or adoption certificate that proves your relationship

If your parent does not have a BNO passport or you are unable to get the details, provide their full name and date of birth in your application. The Home Office will then check your parent’s BNO status.

Proof of your home address

You’ll need to provide up to 3 documents that show your home address. This can include:

  • household or utility bills
  • a visa, residence permit or other immigration document (or a colour photocopy)
  • payslips or your most recent P60
  • bank statements
  • a letter from an employer confirming your employment
  • records of rent or mortgage payments
  • an appointment letter from your GP or other healthcare professional
  • a letter from the local council or a government

Your family members (‘dependants’) will need to provide evidence that their home address is the same as yours, unless both of the following are true:

  • they’re your partner, child under 18 or adult dependent relative
  • they’re applying after you’ve already moved to the UK

Proof you have enough money to support yourself and your family

You usually need to show that you have enough money to support yourself and your family (dependants) for 6 months in the UK - unless you’ve been living in the UK for at least 12 months.

This includes proving you have the money to pay for accommodation or an offer of accommodation from friends or family.

If you’re applying with family, evidence can include you and your family member’s income or savings.

You might need to provide evidence such as:

  • bank or savings account statements
  • payslips
  • proof of income from self-employment
  • proof of income from rental property
  • a letter from friends or family with evidence (such as bank statements or payslips) that they have the money to support you and your family
  • a letter confirming an offer of accommodation from friends or family
  • a tenancy or mortgage agreement

At least one piece of evidence must be dated no more than 31 days before you submit your application.

An offer of work does not usually count as evidence unless you’re transferring to a job in the UK with your current employer.

Evidence of your relationship with family members

If your family members are applying, they’ll need to provide evidence of your relationship with them.

For example:

  • a copy of a marriage or civil partnership certificate
  • a birth certificate or adoption certificate for children
  • evidence that their permanent home address is the same as yours

When you need a TB test certificate

You may need a TB certificate for your visa application. Whether you need a certificate depends on where you’re applying from.

If you’re applying from outside the UK

If you’ve been living in Hong Kong or another country where you have to take a TB test for the past 6 months, you must provide a TB certificate for your visa application.

If you’re already in the UK

If you provided a TB certificate to come to the UK, you do not need to show one again.

Otherwise, you’ll need to provide a TB test certificate to stay in the UK if you came from Hong Kong or another country where you have to take the TB test.

Getting a TB test certificate

You might not be able to get a TB test appointment straight away. If you apply for your visa without a certificate, you might not get your certificate by the time your application is being considered.

If you wait until you have your certificate before you apply for your visa, you can avoid the risk of your application being looked at before you get your certificate.

The certificate must be no older than 6 months when you apply for your visa.

Your test certificate must be from either an:

View a printable version of the whole guide

Related content