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 the people of Hong Kong who chose to keep their ties to the UK when Hong Kong’s was handed over to China in 1997. In January 2021, the Home Office launched the BN(O) visa. This enables BN(O) status holders and their family members to live, work, and study in the UK. In April 2021, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (then 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 b) mental health and wellbeing
In year 4 of our Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE), we will target circa £1 million towards these two priority areas. There will no longer be funding for regional VCSE projects. This decision is based on evidence of need identified through ongoing delivery and funded research.
The VCSE grants will complement support offered through other aspects of the Welcome Programme. This will include:
- continued funding of £3.6 million for 12 Welcome Hubs across the UK, the same level as previous years
- continued demand-led funding for local authorities to provide English language and destitution (homelessness) support (England only)
- continued funding for On Your Side, the hate crime reporting and support service for BN(O)s and East and Southeast Asian (ESEA) communities in the UK.
- 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. The fund supports young people, aged 21 and under, on the Ukraine, Afghan and Hong Kong BN(O) pathways. Families will benefit from funded projects. This includes those 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, only the English version of this landing page was updated in March 2024. We will be updating the Cantonese page shortly.
Information for BN(O)s
This information is for:
- those people who have recently arrived in the United Kingdom from Hong Kong
- or those who are applying to move to the UK, on the BN(O) visa.
You will find 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 MHCLG’s Welcome Programme
- announcements and updates.
This information is available in English and Cantonese. 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
The Welcome Pack will help you settle into life in the UK. It includes how to access the public services that are available to you.
The Welcome Pack is available in English and Cantonese. You can switch between the two languages at the top of the page.
The pack provides information and resources to help you to settle into the UK. It explains how to 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
- access careers advice and support.
In some places the Welcome Pack covers specific services in England only. You can find 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. The Welcome Hubs are to support you and your family as you settle into your community. Through the Welcome Hubs you can:
- find local support
- build your confidence and skills through sessions with specialists
- get help to settle 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 target 2 priority areas:
a) employment b) mental health and wellbeing.
This decision is based on evidence of need identified through ongoing delivery and funded research.
Find a link to the successful organisations here.
Further information on the VCSE grant scheme competition.
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 you learn English or improve your English language ability. Get in touch with your local authority to find out how to access English lessons. Find your local authority.
The 2024/25 VCSE grant scheme requires English language to be included in the employment-focused project. This is to support BN(O)s engage 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.
You should visit the relevant pages for Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to find out more about support in those nations.
Hate crime and support
The Welcome Programme also funds ‘On Your Side’. This is 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 includes any hostility against an aspect (or assumed aspect) of a person’s identity such as their race, gender, religion, disability, sexuality, or political beliefs. Racism could include:
- verbal harassment in person or online
- criminal damage such as graffiti
- physical violence
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 the department 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 the department 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)
Updates to this page
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