BNO Visa ILR Guide 2026 — Settlement for Hong Kong Nationals

BNO visa route to ILR — the basics

The British National (Overseas) visa — known as the BNO visa — was launched in January 2021, allowing eligible Hong Kong residents and their close family members to live, work, and study in the UK. After 5 years of continuous residence on the BNO visa, holders can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). After a further 12 months of ILR, British citizenship becomes available.

Use the BNO ILR calculator (Tool 06 on the homepage) to find your exact qualifying date.

Are BNO holders protected from the 10-year change?

This is the most pressing question for BNO visa holders in 2026. The Government has given strong signals — though not final confirmation — that BNO holders will retain the 5-year route to ILR even if the broader earned settlement changes proceed for other visa routes. The consultation document grouped BNO holders alongside Spouse/Partner applicants as routes likely to maintain a shorter qualifying period, citing the UK's special obligations to Hong Kong BNO passport holders.

However, no formal confirmation has been given in the Immigration Rules. As of April 2026, the earned settlement rules have not been published, and the BNO exemption is not yet legally guaranteed. BNO holders who are approaching their 5-year date should still apply promptly — there is no benefit in waiting.

BNO ILR eligibility requirements

To apply for ILR on the BNO route you must demonstrate:

• 5 years of continuous residence in the UK on the BNO visa (or a combination of BNO visa and BNO leave to remain)
• 180-day absence limit — no rolling 12-month window during the qualifying period should contain more than 180 days outside the UK. Use the ILR absence calculator to check your trips.
• Life in the UK test passed (required for applicants aged 18–64)
• English language at B1 level (rising to B2 from 26 March 2027)
• Good character requirement — no serious criminal convictions or immigration violations
• Valid BNO passport or evidence of BNO status throughout the qualifying period

Absence rules for BNO holders

The 180-day rolling absence test applies to BNO visa holders in the same way as other 5-year routes. For each 12-month window within your qualifying period, the total number of days spent outside the UK must not exceed 180. This is not a calendar-year test — every possible consecutive 12-month window is assessed.

A common issue for BNO holders is trips back to Hong Kong to visit family or manage property during the qualifying period. Keep detailed records of every departure and return. Use the ILR absence calculator to check your rolling windows before applying.

BNO ILR application fee (from 8 April 2026)

From 8 April 2026, the ILR application fee is £3,226 per person. This applies to BNO holders and their dependants equally. Family members (spouse, children) each pay the full fee separately. A family of four pays over £12,900 in Home Office fees alone.

Dependants applying for ILR under the BNO route

Close family members who came to the UK on BNO-dependent leave — spouses, civil partners, and minor children — can apply for ILR at the same time as the main BNO applicant, provided they have also completed 5 years of continuous lawful residence. Under the proposed earned settlement model, dependants may eventually need to demonstrate their own qualifying period independently — but this is not yet in force.

After ILR: the path to British citizenship

Once you have held ILR for 12 months, you can apply for British citizenship by naturalisation. Applicants married to a British citizen can apply immediately after ILR with no 12-month wait. The naturalisation fee from 8 April 2026 is £1,709. The citizenship route is a major reason to pursue ILR promptly — the sooner you secure ILR, the sooner citizenship becomes available.