Routes 7
BN(O) or Graduate visa: which applies to you
If you are a British national (overseas), or an eligible adult child of one, you can apply for a BN(O) visa without a sponsor.
| Figure | In force | Since | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| BN(O) visa lengths you can apply for | 2 years and 6 months, or 5 years | Start date not verified | HK 9.1 (gov.uk) |
Students from Hong Kong may be able to choose between two routes after a UK course. The BN(O) route depends on nationality and family; the Graduate visa depends on the course you completed.
Who can apply for each
You can apply for a BN(O) visa if you are a British national (overseas), or an eligible adult child of one; the age and birth-date conditions are quoted below. Family members can apply with you.
If you’re the child of a British national (overseas) aged 18 or older and born on or after 1 July 1979, you can apply separately from your parent.
Work, length and settlement, side by side
| Question | BN(O) visa | Graduate visa |
|---|---|---|
| Who it is for | British nationals (overseas) and eligible adult children, with family members Authority GOV.UK guidance, British National (Overseas) visa: Overview (gov.uk). The passage relied onIf you’re the child of a British national (overseas) aged 18 or older and born on or after 1 July 1979, you can apply separately from your parent. | People in the UK on a Student visa whose completed course has been reported to the Home Office Authority GOV.UK guidance, Graduate visa: Overview (gov.uk). The passage relied onYou must apply before your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires. |
| Length | 2 years and 6 months, or 5 years, as you choose Authority Appendix Hong Kong British National (Overseas), HK 9.1 (gov.uk). The passage relied on(a) a period of 5 years, where the applicant has applied for a period of 5 years; or | 2 years if you apply on or before , 18 months from , 3 years after a doctorate Authority Appendix Graduate, GR 8.1, as amended by HC 1333 (gov.uk). The passage relied on2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026 |
| Work | Yes, except as a professional sportsperson or sports coach Authority GOV.UK guidance, British National (Overseas) visa: Overview (gov.uk). The passage relied onAfter you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years, you can apply to live in the UK permanently. | Yes, except as a professional sportsperson Authority Appendix Graduate, GR 8.2(b) (gov.uk). The passage relied on(b) work (including self-employment and voluntary work) is permitted, apart from work as a professional sportsperson; and |
| Extensions | Yes, as many times as you want Authority GOV.UK guidance, British National (Overseas) visa: Overview (gov.uk). The passage relied onAfter you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years, you can apply to live in the UK permanently. | No; you may be able to switch to a different visa Authority GOV.UK guidance, Graduate visa: Overview (gov.uk). The passage relied onYou cannot extend your Graduate visa. However, you may be able to switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa. |
| Settlement | Yes, after a qualifying period of living in the UK (quoted below) Authority GOV.UK guidance, British National (Overseas) visa: Overview (gov.uk). The passage relied onAfter you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years, you can apply to live in the UK permanently. | No: it is not a route to settlement Authority Immigration Rules, Appendix Graduate (introduction) (gov.uk). The passage relied onThe Graduate route is not a route to settlement. |
After you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years, you can apply to live in the UK permanently.
Settlement for children changes with HC 584
Statement of ChangesStatement of Changes A document laid before Parliament that amends the Immigration Rules. Each has an HC number and one or more commencement dates. HC 584 changes the settlement rule for BN(O) children. A dependent child who is still under the age limit in the rule on the date of the settlement application no longer needs a continuous period of residence first.
(b) the applicant must have spent a continuous period of 5 years with permission in the UK on a route under which a person can settle, unless they are aged under 18 at the date of application.”.
HC 584 was laid before Parliament on , and this change has effect from .
The adult children change in HC 1691
HC 1691, laid on , made this change: BN(O) route opened to adult children of BN(O) status holders. From , the adult child of a BN(O) status holder, or of their partner, can apply in their own right if born on or after 1 July 1979.
The BN(O) Adult Child route is for the adult child of a BN(O) status holder or of the partner of a BN(O) status holder who is aged 18 or over and born on or after 1 July 1979.
Other routes open to BN(O) nationals
British nationals (overseas) are also in the Youth Mobility Scheme, in its younger age band. Every route is compared on the Routes page; the Graduate visa deadline is on After your course ends.
History
- 8 October 2026. In force. BN(O) children and settlement, HC 584.
- . Entry updated.
- . Entry first published.
- 8 April 2026. In force. BN(O) route opened to adult children, HC 1691.
Common questions
Can I work on a BN(O) visa?
Yes. You can work and study, except that you cannot work as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
How long is a BN(O) visa?
You can apply to stay for 2 years and 6 months, or 5 years. You can extend the visa as many times as you want.
Who can use the BN(O) adult child route?
An adult child of a British national (overseas) who meets the age and birth-date conditions can apply separately from their parent. The conditions are quoted on this page in GOV.UK's words.
Can a Graduate visa be extended like a BN(O) visa?
No. The Graduate visa cannot be extended, though you may be able to switch to a different visa. A BN(O) visa can be extended as many times as you want.
Sources
- British National (Overseas) visa: Overview (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
If you’re the child of a British national (overseas) aged 18 or older and born on or after 1 July 1979, you can apply separately from your parent.
After you’ve lived in the UK for 5 years, you can apply to live in the UK permanently.
- Immigration Rules: Appendix Hong Kong British National Overseas (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
(a) a period of 5 years, where the applicant has applied for a period of 5 years; or
(b) a period of 30 months (plus, where the applicant has extant permission on the Hong Kong BN(O) route, the remaining period of that permission, up to a maximum of 28 days) where the applicant has applied for a period of 30 months.
The BN(O) Adult Child route is for the adult child of a BN(O) status holder or of the partner of a BN(O) status holder who is aged 18 or over and born on or after 1 July 1979.
HK 23.3. The applicant must have been born on or after 1 July 1979.
- Statement of Changes HC 584 (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
(b) the applicant must have spent a continuous period of 5 years with permission in the UK on a route under which a person can settle, unless they are aged under 18 at the date of application.”.
The following paragraphs shall take effect on 29 October 2026.
- Statement of Changes HC 584: explanatory memorandum (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
5.32 This change removes the requirement for dependent children on the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) route to complete a five-year continuous residence period before qualifying for settlement.
the changes relating to the Annual Uplift to the Student Route Maintenance Requirement will come into effect on 30 November 2026 and the EUSS changes relating to biometric residence permits will come into effect on 9 December 2026. All other changes will come into effect on 8 October 2026 as detailed in the implementation section of the Statement of Changes.
- Graduate visa: Overview (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
You must apply before your Student visa or Tier 4 (General) student visa expires.
2 years if you apply on or before 31 December 2026
18 months if you apply on or after 1 January 2027
If you have a PhD or other doctoral qualification, it will last for 3 years.
You cannot extend your Graduate visa. However, you may be able to switch to a different visa, for example a Skilled Worker visa.
work in most jobs
- Statement of Changes HC 1333 (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
2 years if the applicant has successfully completed a course at UK bachelor’s degree or master’s degree level, or another relevant qualification that meets the requirement of ST8.1/2/3 of the Rules, and the application is made before 1 January 2027.
- Statement of Changes HC 1333: explanatory memorandum (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
5.26 The change to 18 months will apply to applications submitted on or after 1 January 2027, with PhD graduates continuing to receive three years of leave.
- Skilled Worker visa: When you can be paid less (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
you’re currently in the UK on a Graduate visa (or you have been in the last 2 years, and a Graduate or visit visa was your most recent visa)
- Immigration Rules: Appendix Graduate (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
(b) work (including self-employment and voluntary work) is permitted, apart from work as a professional sportsperson; and
The Graduate route is not a route to settlement.
- Statement of Changes HC 1691: explanatory memorandum (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
5.63 The changes expand the BN(O) route by making BN(O) status holders’ adult children who were under 18 on 1 July 1997 eligible for the route.
5.62 These changes will come into force on 26 March 2027.
6.3 For the changes that introduce a visa requirement on Nicaragua and St Lucia, those changes will come into effect at 1500 GMT on 5 March 2026. All other changes will come into effect on various dates from 26 March 2026 and are detailed in the implementation section of the Statement of Changes.
- Statement of Changes HC 1691 (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
APP HK4. For HK23.3, substitute: “HK 23.3. The applicant must have been born on or after 1 July 1979.”.
- Youth Mobility Scheme visa: Eligibility (gov.uk). Checked .
The passage relied on
You can apply for the visa if you’re aged 18 to 30 and from:
You must be selected in the Youth Mobility Scheme ballot before you can apply for your visa if you’re from:
How each figure is checked: Sources and method.
This is general information about the rules, not legal advice. For advice on your own situation, use a solicitor or an adviser regulated by the Immigration Advice Authority (gov.uk).