Welcome: a guide for Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa holders in the UK
A guide for adults and dependants who have been granted leave on the new British National (Overseas) visa to access public services and make the most of the opportunities in the UK.
The British National Overseas [BN(O)] route reflects the UK’s historic and moral commitment to those people of Hong Kong who chose to retain their ties to the UK by taking up BN(O) status at the point of Hong Kong’s handover to China in 1997. In January 2021, the Home Office launched the BN(O) visa, enabling BN(O) status holders and their family members to live, work, and study in the UK. In April 2021, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) launched a new UK-wide Welcome Programme to support those on the BN(O) visa settle into the UK.
Year 4 of the Welcome Programme
As the programme has developed, we have identified that BN(O)s will benefit most from support with a) employability and b) mental health and wellbeing. Therefore, over the fourth year, our Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) funding worth circa £1 million will be targeted towards these two priority areas, and there will no longer be funding for regional VCSE projects. This is based on evidence of need in areas identified through ongoing delivery and funded research.
The VCSE grants will complement support offered through other aspects of the Welcome Programme over this year, including:
- continued funding for 12 Welcome Hubs across the UK, at the same level of £3.6 million as previous years
- continued demand-led funding for local authorities to provide English language and destitution support (England only)
- we will also maintain funding for the current Hate Crime Reporting Service for BN(O)s and East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) communities until 31 March 2024, and a further announcement on the future provider will be made in due course
- continuing to signpost BN(O)s through the online Welcome Pack with information about the support and services they can access in the UK
Felicity Buchan, Minister for the Hong Kong BN(O) Welcome Programme said:
I am proud the UK government established a visa route giving BN(O)s and their loved ones the freedom to live, work, and study here, on the pathway to British citizenship. The Hong Kong BN(O) Welcome Programme, in its fourth year, will continue to provide the support BN(O)s and their families need to integrate and thrive into their new communities.
Children and Young People Resettlement Fund
The Children and Young People’s Resettlement Fund is a £2.5 million fund facilitating projects in England until March 2025 that support young people, aged 21 and under, on the Ukraine, Afghan and Hong Kong BN(O) pathways. Families will benefit from the projects funded, which includes projects tailored to the specific needs of Hong Kong BN(O) children and young people in areas such as mental health and trauma support. Please see list of successful bidders.
Please note, we have only updated the English version of this landing page in March 2024, and we will be updating the Cantonese version of the page shortly.
Information for BN(O)s
This page has been designed for those people who have recently arrived in the United Kingdom from Hong Kong, or are applying to move to the UK, on the BN(O) visa. This page contains a list of resources for you to settle in the UK, including an online Welcome Pack, letters to support BN(O)s navigate public services, information on how to access DLUHC’s Welcome Programme, announcements and updates. This page is available in English and Cantonese, and you can switch between the two languages at the top of the page.
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland consists of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Information on services may be different depending on which nation of the UK you live in.
Online Welcome Pack
An online Welcome Pack has been developed to help you settle into life in the UK, including how to access the public services that are available to you.
The Welcome Pack is available in English and Cantonese. You can access the relevant language by changing the language settings at the top of this page.
The pack provides a wealth of information and resources to help you to settle into the UK and access public services, such as how to: apply for a National Insurance number, register with a GP, find a school for your children, set up a bank account, start a business, buy or rent a home, and access careers advice and support. In some places the Welcome Pack covers specific services in England only. The following links provide further information on services in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Welcome Hubs
The Welcome Programme has created 12 virtual Welcome Hubs across the whole of the UK to support you and your family to integrate into your communities. Through the Welcome Hubs you can navigate local support, build your confidence and skills through sessions with specialists, and integrate into your community. Find your local Welcome Hub and their contact details.
Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) grant scheme
In year 4 of the Programme, our Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) funding worth circa £1 million will be targeted towards the two priority areas of a) employment and b) mental health and wellbeing. This is based on evidence of need in areas identified through ongoing delivery and funded research.
Further information on the VCSE grant scheme competition and making applications
English language and destitution support
The English language support funded by the Welcome Programme is an integral part of the support available to you. Funding is available for local authorities in England to support those who may require support to learn English or improve their English language ability. Get in touch with your local authority to find out how to access English lessons. Find your local authority.
Within the 2024/25 VCSE grant scheme there will be a requirement for English language to be an element within the employment-focused project to support BN(O)s in engaging in the workplace.
The Welcome Programme also provides funding for destitution support. If you are at risk of becoming destitute (homeless) you will need to apply for a Change of Condition to lift the No Recourse to Public Funds limitation on your BN(O) visa. For more information on this, please read section 8 in the Welcome Pack.
We advise you visit the relevant pages for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to find out more about support in those nations.
Hate crime and support
Until 31 March 2024, the Welcome Programme currently funds ‘On Your Side’, a third-party reporting and support service for BN(O)s and all other East and Southeast Asian communities in the UK.
You can use On Your Side to find support and make a report if you experience or witness racism or any other form of hate. This could include verbal harassment in person or online, criminal damage such as graffiti, or physical violence perpetrated because of hostility against an aspect (or assumed aspect) of a person’s identity such as their race, gender, religion, disability, sexuality, or political beliefs.
On Your Side is led by the independent charity Protection Approaches alongside a consortium of mainly East and Southeast Asian community organisations, and operates independently of the UK government.
You can find out more on the On Your Side website, or call their 24/7 free helpline on 0808 801 0393.
Resources
Certificates of No Criminal Conviction
A letter from DLUHC to BN(O)s and prospective employers on Certificates of No Criminal Conviction from the Hong Kong Police can be found below. This letter is available in English and Cantonese.
‘To whom it may concern’ letter for BN(O)s and businesses
A letter to whom it may concern from the former Minister of State for DLUHC can be found below. This letter provides further information regarding your legal status, which you may find helpful when settling in the UK such as finding housing, employment, or opening a bank account. This letter is available in English and Cantonese.
Announcements
- British National (Overseas) visa
- April 2021: National welcome for Hong Kong arrivals
- February 2022: Community projects awarded government funding to help Hong Kongers settle into life in the UK
- July 2022: Support continues for Hong Kongers building new lives in the UK
- March 2023: Government announces a third year of support to help Hong Kongers settle into life in the UK
- June 2023: Hong Kong British National (Overseas) Welcome Programme: Voluntary, Community, and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Year 3 (2023/2024) grant schemes
- March 2024: Hong Kong British National (Overseas) Programme: Year 4 VCSE Funding (2024/2025)
Last updated 8 March 2024 + show all updates
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Government announces a fourth year of support to help Hong Kongers settle into life in the UK.
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Updated Cantonese translation of this page.
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Updated information on the Hong Kong BN(O) Welcome Programme, including information on how to access support elements such as Welcome Hubs, VCSE projects, English language, and hate crime reporting. Also included a new letter from DLUHC on Certificates of No Criminal Conviction.
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Added letter to landlord and letting agency organisations regarding legal status of Hong Kong BN(O) status holders. Added updated Welcome Pack.
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Added translation