Support for people from Hong Kong

If you’re from Hong Kong and are a British national (overseas) you and your family members can apply for a British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) visa.

If you are granted a BN(O) visa, this means you and your eligible family members can live, study and work in the UK

You can also use public services, such as:

• schools
• the NHS

You are on a pathway to settlement and citizenship. After:

• five years in the UK, you can apply for settlement
• one more year, you can apply for British citizenship

Visa process

You can apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)) after five years on a BN(O) visa.

English Language Requirement for Settlement (ILR)

To apply for settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)) under the BN(O) visa, you must pass an English language test.

The test must be a Secure English Language Test (SELT).

You must pass at B1 level.

Approved tests include:

• Trinity GESE Grade 5
• (10-minute speaking and listening test)
• IELTS Life Skills B1

The test must be taken with a UK government‑approved test provider. 

British citizenship

After one year with ILR, you may be able to apply for British citizenship.

No recourse to public funds

You will usually have “No Recourse to Public Funds”, which means you:

• cannot claim most benefits or housing support
• may apply to change this in exceptional circumstances, such as serious financial hardship

See our 'Applying to access public funds' section for more information. 

You’ll usually get an eVisa when you successfully apply for a visa or other type of permission to be in the UK.

An eVisa is a digital record of:

• your identity and immigration status - for example the type of visa you have or if you have indefinite leave to remain (settlement) in the UK
• the conditions of your status - for example if you’re allowed to work or study in the UK

You can view how to get and use an eVisa at GOV.UK.

If you move to the UK on a BN(O) visa and have paid the Immigration Health Surcharge:

• you can use most NHS services for free once your visa is granted
• you will receive NHS care in the same way as a UK permanent resident
• your health does not affect your visa or the care you receive

Free NHS services include:

• GP (family doctor) appointments
• hospital treatment
• maternity care

You usually need to pay for:

• prescriptions
• dental treatment

Your personal health information is private. NHS staff will not share it without your permission unless they are concerned about your safety.

During a medical emergency, you should go to your nearest Accident and Emergency (A&E) department. This is free for everyone.

For a life‑threatening emergency, call 999 and ask for an ambulance. 

For urgent help that is not life‑threatening, call NHS 111.

Do not use A&E for minor health problems.

A general practitioner (GP) is the main doctor you see in the UK. They help with:

• children’s health
• adult health
• mental health
• maternity care

GP practices may also have:

• nurses
• pharmacists
• physiotherapists

You should:

• register with a GP near your home as soon as possible
• register even if you feel well

To register, you will usually need to provide your:

• name and date of birth
• address
• phone number (if you have one)

You can still register even if you do not have ID or proof of address.

Find out how to register with a GP surgery

After you register

Once you have registered with a GP, you may be invited for a simple health check with a nurse It is important to go, even if you feel well.

If you move home, you must register with a new GP. You can only be registered with one GP at a time

Before you start viewing homes, you should get a mortgage decision in principle. This is a written estimate from a lender which shows how much you may be able to borrow. A mortgage in principle:

• helps you understand your budget
• shows sellers you are serious about buying

You do not have to take a mortgage from the same lender.

Most lenders will carry out a credit check. Some credit checks do not affect your credit score, while others do. Too many ‘hard’ checks can lower your credit score, so always ask lenders first.

You can change a verbal offer on a property at any time before contracts are exchanged. Only do this if there is a good reason, such as serious problems found in a home survey. Changing an offer late can cause delays or risk the sale falling through.

If you have a BN(O) visa, you have the right to rent in the UK.

You can prove your right to rent using your:

• Biometric Residence Permit (BRP), or
• digital immigration status

You can share your digital status via GOV.UK.

Before you rent

Before renting a property, letting agents may check your income or ask for a guarantor.

If you do not have references, speak to the landlord or agent about other options.

Rental homes can be found:

• through local letting agents
• on property search websites

Renting a home

On 1 May 2026, the new Renters Reform Act came into effect, abolishing 6 or 12-month fixed term tenancies. The new periodic (rolling monthly) tenancies have no end date and run continuously until the tenant gives two months' notice.

When you rent a property, you will sign a tenancy agreement (a legal contract). This explains:

• how much rent you pay and how often
• what repairs you must do
• what repairs the landlord must do
• any rules (e.g. no smoking)

Your rights and responsibilities are explained in GOV.UK’s how to rent guide.

You must pay council tax for your home. Council tax:

• runs from April to March
• is usually paid monthly
• pays for local services such as social care, police, and facilities

If you have no access to public funds, you cannot get council tax support. However, you may still get a discount or exemption, for example, if you live alone.

More information can be found on:

• GOV.UK
• our website

We will help if you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. We may offer:

• advice
• emergency housing
• help to find somewhere to live
• support to help you stay in your home

This will depend on:

• your eligibility
• how urgently you need support
• how you became homeless

If you are at risk of homelessness, contact us as soon as possible using the details on this page.

Your BN(O) visa normally includes no access to public funds, which limits support. If you cannot meet basic needs or have no safe home, you can apply to have this condition lifted. If the condition is lifted:

• you may apply for council housing
• you will usually join a waiting list
• a home is not guaranteed

You may be able to get free childcare hours when your child is aged between 2 and 4.

Free childcare options include:

• 15 hours for all 3‑ and 4‑year‑olds living in England (available regardless of immigration status)
• 15 hours for some 2‑year‑olds who are considered disadvantaged - this includes children:
  • from families on benefits such as Universal Credit or Tax Credits
  • from low‑income households
  • who are looked after by the Council
  • who have an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP)

Families with no access to public funds may still be eligible if:

• they earn less than £15,400 per year, and
• the child is in need, or
• the parent is the main carer of a British citizen

See early learning for 2-year-olds for more information.

If you have a child aged between 5 and 16, you must make sure they are in full‑time education. This can be:

• a state‑funded school (free)
• an independent or private school (fees usually apply)
• home education

Starting school

Most children start reception full-time in September after their fourth birthday. You can choose for your child to attend part‑time until after their fifth birthday.

For help finding a state school and applying for a school place, please refer to our school admissions pages.

If you apply late, places at popular schools may be limited.

It is best to check school availability before deciding where to live.

Further education (FE) includes study after secondary school, but not university.

Funding will depend on your immigration status. Schools or colleges can help check if you meet the eligibility criteria. 

During an apprenticeship, you will:

• work and earn a wage
• learn new skills
• get paid holiday

Apprenticeships can last between one and six years.

You can apply if you:

• are 16 or over
• live in England
• are not in full‑time education

Funding depends on:

• your right to live and work in the UK
• meeting residency rules

Some BN(O) visa holders and their children may be eligible, including some aged 16–18.

More information can be found at GOV.UK.

Your child may get free transport to school depending on:

• the distance between their school and home
• safety of the route
• if they have additional needs (see school transport for children with SEND)

Free transport may also be available if your child:

• is under 8 and lives 2 miles or more from school
• is 8 or over and lives 3 miles or more away

Please refer to school buses for more information. 

All schools must support children with SEND. 

Our Solihull Local Offer tells you what support is available.

A school must not refuse a child a place because of SEND.

Adults aged 19 or over may access funded learning, including English courses, through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF).

Access depends on:

• residency rules (usually 3 years in the UK)
• your age and previous education

You can find a course with the National Careers Service. Courses may be either fully funded, or part funded (around 50%).

English courses and tests

Paid and free English courses are also available through the British Council.

For some visa application routes, you may be asked to take a secure English language test (SELT).

Most higher education courses can be searched and applied for online.

You usually need to be 18 or over.

Courses are taught at:

• universities
• colleges
• specialist schools

Qualifications include:

• diplomas
• bachelor’s degrees
• foundation degrees
• postgraduate degrees

Universities set their own entry rules, so you will need to contact them directly.

Until you gain settled status, you are usually charged international fees.

After settlement, you may qualify for home fees (this can include dependants).

The UK ENIC checks how international qualifications compare to UK ones, including qualifications from Hong Kong.

They can:

• issue Statements of Comparability - that compares your international qualifications with the UK education system
• help schools and colleges understand overseas study levels

In the UK, workers are entitled to certain employment rights. 

You can see what your rights and benefits, such as sick pay, you are entitled to at GOV.UK.

If you need help to understand your employment rights, please contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau.

Finding a job will not only increase your income but will help you settle into your new life. 

You have the right to work as soon as you have been granted the BN(O) visa. However, you will not automatically be given a job. 

The government offers a free recruitment service that connects jobseekers with thousands of employers across the UK.

Our Employment and Skills team can also help you:

• find local opportunities
• improve your skills
• find training

Job boards

You are also encouraged to register with other external and independent agencies to widen your job search on job boards such as:

• Indeed 
• Reed 
• CV Library 
• The Guardian Jobs 
• Total Jobs
• Monster 
• Jobsites

Jobs in the public sector

If you want a career or have experience of working in the public sector, you can find vacancies at WM Jobs.

Once you find a job you want to apply for, you will usually need to:

• fill in an application form or send a CV (a short list of your skills, qualifications, and experience)
• include a covering letter, that outlines your suitability for the role

You can get free help and advice from the National Careers Service. Anyone over the age of 13, can book a call with a careers adviser.

Documents and checks

Employers may ask to see documents to support your application, such as:

• your Biometric Residence Permit (BRP) or digital immigration status
• proof of your right to work in the UK
• certificates or diplomas showing your qualifications

References from people who know your work, such as a:

• former manager
• teacher
• colleague

Bringing these documents with you can help speed up the application process.

The NHS is the largest employer in the UK. There are over 80,000 job vacancies in health and care, including:

• clinical roles (such as doctors and nurses)
• non-clinical roles (such as managers, administrators, and support staff)

These jobs are open to Hong Kong citizens with a BN(O) visa.

Clinical roles may also need a Health and Care visa. 

People trained outside the UK have worked in the NHS since it began in 1948 and still play an important role today:

• 16% of nurses and 36% of doctors in England trained outside the UK
• In social care, 35% of nurses and 16% of care workers trained outside the UK

Working in the NHS offers:

• jobs in world‑leading hospitals
• ongoing training and development -  for example, £1,000 per nurse per year is being invested in training over three years

Useful job websites

You can find vacancies with:

• NHS Jobs
• Adult Social Care Jobs 

Support for nurses from Hong Kong

They Hong Kong Nurses Association UK offer advice and peer support for nurses starting their careers in the UK.

Your National Insurance (NI) number makes sure your tax and National Insurance payments are recorded correctly under your name.

Your National Insurance number:

• is made up of letters and numbers
• never changes

You do not need an NI number to look for or start work, as long as you can prove you have the right to work in the UK.

You can prove your right to work online by allowing an employer to check your status. All employers must complete right to work checks before offering a job.

Apply for a NI number

If you have the right to work in the UK, you can apply for a NI number at GOV.UK.

If you have BN(O) status and a professional qualification from outside the UK, you may need to have it officially recognised before you can work in some jobs.

This is needed for jobs that are regulated in the UK, such as:

• health
• teaching
• engineering.

Your qualification must be recognised by the correct UK regulator for your profession

In some cases, it must be recognised by the regulator for the specific UK nation where you plan to work

If you already know your profession’s regulator, contact them directly for advice.

If you are not sure who the right regulator is, you can contact the UK Centre for Professional Qualifications (UKCPQ).

They can tell you which organisation to speak to and how to apply.

If your qualification has been recognised

If your qualification has already been recognised, check with the regulator so you understand:

• what your recognition allows you to do
• if there are any limits or conditions that apply

This will help you plan your work options in the UK. 

Teachers from Hong Kong can gain Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) in England by completing an accredited course of teacher training.

If you have an experience teaching and you have a degree from Hong Kong, you could complete the assessment only route.

Teachers can also work without QTS in academies and free schools. Overseas teachers, including those qualified in Hong Kong, can also work in maintained schools without QTS for up to four years.

Find a vacancy

Teaching vacancies is the official job-listing service from the Department for Education and used by 17,000 schools to post their teaching roles. 

Search for a teaching vacancy

To become a Teaching Assistant (TA), you typically need:

• strong literacy and numeracy skills (GCSEs or equivalent)
• relevant experience with children
• a passion for supporting learning

When you work in the UK, you have the right to:

• be treated fairly
• work in a safe environment
• work without bullying, harassment, or fear from your employer, colleagues, or customers

All employers must pay their staff at least the National Minimum Wage. The amount your get depends on your age.

Getting a contract

Your contract explains your:

• pay
• hours
• working conditions

Read it carefully before signing. Ask for an interpreter if you need one.

If you need help

For free advice about your rights at work and your employer’s duties, contact ACAS:

• call 0300 123 1100

All employers must treat people fairly at work and when recruiting.

It is against the law to treat someone unfairly because of:

• sex or gender reassignment
• race
• religion or belief
• being married or in a civil partnership
• disability
• age
• sexual orientation
• pregnancy or maternity

Employers should respect an employee’s needs, as long as this does not stop them from doing their job.

Getting help

If you think you have been treated unfairly, you can get free advice from the Equality Advisory Service.

If you are being forced to work, or your employer is not respecting your rights, you can also contact the Modern Slavery Helpline:

• call 0800 0121 700

Free and confidential support is available.

If you are granted a BN(O) visa, your visa will usually include “no recourse to public funds” (NRPF) status.

This means you cannot claim most public funds, including:

• benefits
• tax credits
• housing support paid by the government

We understand that sometimes people may face serious money problems through no fault of their own. If this happens, you may be able to apply to remove your NRPF condition.

You can apply if you:

• have no money or are homeless
• are at immediate risk of becoming homeless

How to apply

To ask for a change to your visa conditions, you must:

• complete and submit an online form 
• show that you meet the rules for removing NRPF

Evidence you will need

You must provide evidence to support your application, such as:

• details of your financial situation
• information about your living arrangements

Your application will be assessed based on this information.

Everyone in the UK has the same basic human rights and freedoms. These rights are protected by law and shape everyday life. For example, everyone has the right to:

• personal safety
• freedom of thought and belief
• freedom to practice their religion or beliefs

You must follow UK law when exercising these rights. It is illegal to:

• break the law in the name of religion or belief
• discriminate against or harm someone because of their beliefs

Shared values and responsibilities

Everyone who lives in or visits the UK is expected to:

• respect and obey the law
• respect the rights of others, even if you disagree with their views
• treat people fairly and with respect

These shared values help keep communities safe, fair, and welcoming for everyone.

In the UK, there is a difference between civil marriages and religious marriages.

Religious marriages are only legally recognised if they are registered by the state.

Some religious marriages are not recognised in UK law. In these cases, couples must also have a civil marriage to be legally married. 

Legal rules about marriage

The minimum legal age to marry in the UK is 16. In England, people aged 16 or 17 must have parental consent

In England, it is legal for:

• a man and woman to marry
• two women to marry
• two men to marry

All of these marriages are protected by law

Consent

A marriage must only happen if both people freely agree. Forced marriage is illegal in the UK.

These laws help protect people’s rights and safety.

In the UK, it is against the law to treat someone unfairly because of their:

• gender
• race or ethnicity
• religion or belief
• age
• disability
• sexual orientation

Racism is not acceptable. It is a serious offence to:

• hurt someone because of their race
• harass or verbally abuse someone because of their race
• damage someone’s property because of their race
• encourage or stir up racial hatred

You must not be treated differently because of your race when:

• applying for a job
• looking for housing
• using the NHS
• shopping or using services

Racial harassment

You should never face racist behaviour.

This includes offensive comments about your race or where you come from.

Getting help

If you or someone you know experiences racism, do not try to deal with it on your own.

Help and protection are available, and reporting racism can help keep everyone safe. 

We want BN(O) visa holders and their families to feel welcome and safe in the UK. 

Many services including the police and local authorities now work closely with Chinese, East Asian and Southeast Asian communities to better support people who are harmed or threatened.

Hate crime is never acceptable. Targeting someone because of their race or any other personal characteristic is wrong and against the law.

Everyone has the right to live free from harassment and fear.

Reporting hate crime

If you are a victim of hate crime, or receive a serious threat, you should report it to the police:

• call 999 in an emergency
• call 101 for non‑emergencies
• report it online

Solihull also has several hate crime reporting centres.

Getting support

You can also get help and reassurance from victim support services:

• https://www.remediuk.org/hate-crime-victim-services/ 
• https://www.seeac.org.uk/on-your-side 

More information about support for victims of crime is available at GOV.UK.

Support is free and confidential, and help is available if you need it.

The UK has a wide network of trains and buses.

You usually need to buy a ticket before you travel.

Train and long‑distance bus tickets are often cheaper if you buy them in advance.

You can find train times and ticket information at www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Travel between UK bountries

You do not need ID to travel between:

• England
• Scotland
• Wales
• Northern Ireland

You will need ID if you are travelling by plane.

If you have a valid Hong Kong driving licence, you can drive in the UK for up to 12 months after becoming resident.

You can drive:

• motorcycles
• cars
• vehicles up to 3,500kg
• vehicles with up to 8 passenger seats

After 12 months, you must:

• exchange your licence for a GB driving licence, or
• stop driving

If you cannot exchange your licence

If you do not have a licence from Hong Kong or another country the UK recognises:

• you must apply for a Provisional Driving Licence
• you must pass a UK driving test
• you must meet UK rules on health and minimum age

Rules for exchanging a licence

To exchange your licence, you must:

• be resident in the UK
• have a valid licence
• show your licence was not exchanged from another country

Except that:

• if you passed your test in an automatic vehicle, your GB licence will be automatic only

How to apply:

• complete a D1 application form
• available from Post Offices or the DVLA

Send the form with:

• proof of identity
• proof of lawful UK residence
• your BRP card, if you have one

If documents are not in English, you must include a UK‑issued certified translation

Important notes

Passports with visa stamps must show Indefinite Leave to Remain

Send your application to:

DVLA
Swansea
SA99 1BT

More information is available at GOV.UK.