Switching to a BNO Household Member Dependant Visa

You can apply to switch to a BNO household member dependant visa from inside the UK if you are already in the UK on a different UK visa. An application for switching into a BNO household member dependant visa from inside the UK is made in accordance with the requirements as set out in Appendix Hong Kong British National (Overseas) of the Immigration Rules.

Free Immigration Advice for Dependants of a BNO Household Member

Our specialist team of immigration solicitors can provide 5-minute, free, one-off immigration advice on your BNO household member visa application. Ask a question online to our specialist team of immigration solicitors for free immigration advice online, or book an appointment online for detailed immigration advice and consultation with one of our immigration solicitors concerning your BNO household member visa application.

Requirements for Switching to a BNO Household Member Dependant Visa

A person applying for switching into BNO household member dependent visa should meet the following requirements of the immigration rules:

Valid Application

You must submit a valid application to switch to a BNO household member dependant visa from inside the UK, in accordance with the requirements for a valid application set out in Appendix Hong Kong British National (Overseas) of the Immigration Rules. 

Suitability Requirements

The applicant must not fall for refusal under Appendix Part Suitability of the Immigration Ruels. 

If applying for permission to stay, the applicant must not be:

• in breach of immigration laws, except that where the Exceptions for overstayers section of Part Suitability applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
• on immigration bail, except where they have been placed on immigration bail after making an asylum claim in the UK.

Ordinary Residence Requirement

 An applicant applying for permission to stay must be in the UK and ordinarily resident in the UK, the Bailiwick of Guernsey, the Bailiwick of Jersey, the Isle of Man, or Hong Kong on the date of application.

Relationship Requirement for a Dependent Partner

Where the applicant is applying for entry clearance, and they have not previously had permission on the BN(O) Household Member route, they must meet the relationship requirement as set out in HK 35.3. to HK 35.9.

The applicant must be the partner of a sponsoring BNO household member where one of the following applies:

• The sponsoring BNO household member has permission on the BN(O) Household Member route; or
• The sponsoring BNO household member is, at the same time, applying for (and is granted) entry clearance or permission on the BN(O) Household Member route. 

The applicant and the BN(O) Household Member must both be aged 18 or over at the date of application.

If the applicant and the BN(O) Household Member are not married or in a civil partnership, all the following requirements must be met:

• they must have been living together in a relationship similar to marriage or civil partnership for at least the two years before the date of application; and
• any previous relationship of the applicant or the BN(O) Household Member with another person must have permanently broken down; and
• they must not be so closely related that they would not be allowed to marry in the UK.

The relationship between the applicant and the BN(O) Household Member must be genuine and subsisting.

Where the BN(O) Household Member is the child of a person applying as a partner on the BN(O) Status Holder route, the applicant and the BN(O) Household Member must form part of the same household on the date of application. A person will form part of the same household as the BN(O) Household Member if they normally live with the BN(O) Household Member.

The applicant and the BN(O) Household Member must intend to live together throughout the applicant’s stay in the UK.

Relationship Requirement for a BNO Household Child

The applicant must be the child of a sponsoring BNO household member where one of the following applies:

• The sponsoring BNO household member has permission on the BN(O) Household Member route; or
• The sponsoring BNO household member is, at the same time, applying for (and is granted) entry clearance or permission on the BN(O) Household Member route. 

Where neither parent of the applicant is the child of a BN(O) status holder, if the applicant is applying for entry clearance or permission to stay and they have not previously had permission as a child on the BN(O) Household Member route, they must form part of the same household as the BN(O) Household Member on the date of application. A person will form part of the same household as the BN(O) Household Member if they normally live with the BN(O) Household Member.

If the applicant is a child born in the UK to a BN(O) Household Member or their partner, the applicant must provide a full UK birth certificate showing the names of both parents.

Age and Care Requirement for a Dependent Child

The applicant must be under 18 years of age on the date of application. The applicant must intend to live with a parent who has permission under the BN(O) Household Member route during their stay in the UK, unless they can demonstrate a valid reason for not living with that parent. There must be suitable arrangements for the applicant’s care and accommodation in the UK that comply with relevant UK legislation and regulations.

Financial Requirement for a BNO household Member Dependant Visa

If the applicant is applying for switching into BNO household member dependant visa and has been in the UK with permission for less than 12 months on the date of application, or where the applicant’s previous grant of permission was for 12 months Leave Outside the Rules following an unsuccessful application for the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) route, the decision maker must be satisfied that the BN(O) Household Member, their partner or a person who is being granted permission on the BN(O) Status Holder route is able to and will maintain and accommodate the applicant adequately in the UK without recourse to public funds for at least six months.

The accommodation will not be regarded as adequate if

• it is or will be overcrowded; or
• it contravenes public health regulations.

The BN(O) Household Member, their partner or a person with permission on the BN(O) Status Holder route may rely on credible promises of future third-party support. The BN(O) Household Member, their partner or a person with permission on the BN(O) Status Holder route must show that they have the required funds as specified in Appendix Finance.

In-Country Tuberculosis Certificate Requirement

If the applicant is applying for permission to stay and:

• their last grant of permission was for 6 months or less; and
• the applicant was present in a country listed in Appendix Tuberculosis (TB) of these rules for more than six months immediately prior to their last grant of permission,

the applicant must provide a valid medical certificate confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that this tuberculosis is not present in them. A valid medical certificate is one issued by an approved centre within the 6 months immediately preceding the date of application.

The in-country tuberculosis requirement is met if the applicant has provided a medical certificate as part of a successful application for entry clearance in the 12 months before the date of application.

The list of approved centres in the UK, updated from time to time, can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-tuberculosis-test-clinics-for-hong-kong-bno.

Period and Conditions of Grant

A partner who does not have permission on the BN(O) Household Member route on the date of application will be granted permission, which ends on the same date as the BN(O) Household Member’s permission.

A child who does not have permission on the BN(O) Household Member route on the date of application will be granted permission, which ends on the same date as the BN(O) Household Member’s permission.

The grant will be subject to all the following conditions:

• no access to public funds; and
• work (including self-employment and voluntary work) permitted except for employment as a professional sportsperson (including as a sports coach); and
• study is permitted, subject to the ATAS condition in Appendix ATAS.

How Can We Help?

Our specialist team of BN(O) visa solicitors can provide expert immigration advice and legal representation on a fixed-fee basis for your application to switch to a BNO household member dependant visa from inside the UK. The immigration casework to be carried out by our immigration solicitors in relation to your application will entail the following:

• Our immigration solicitors will assess your eligibility to switch to a BNO household member dependant visa from inside the UK, taking into account all relevant requirements.
• Our immigration solicitors will advise you on the relevant documents to be submitted in support of your application for switching into a BNO household member dependant visa.
• Our immigration solicitors will assess the documentary evidence to ensure it complies with the Home Office UKVI requirements for switching to a BNO household member dependant visa from inside the UK.
• Our immigration solicitors will complete an online application form to switch to a BNO household member dependant visa from inside the UK.
• Our immigration solicitors will prepare a detailed cover letter in support of your application to explain how all the relevant requirements for switching to a BNO household member dependent visa have been satisfied by the applicant.
• Our immigration solicitors will submit the application online, pay the Home Office UKVI fees, and book the applicant's appointment with the application centre.
• Our immigration solicitors will upload all the supporting documents online in support of the application.
• Our immigration solicitors will do all the follow-up work, including responding to any queries raised by the Home Office UKVI, until a decision is reached on your application.

Specialist Immigration Solicitors for Dependants of a BNO Household Member

Our immigration solicitors are specialists in UK visa applications for Dependants of a BNO Household Member. As one of the best immigration solicitors, we have an excellent track record of helping clients obtain UK visas as Dependants of a BNO Household Member. Our highly experienced and fully qualified immigration solicitors can provide fast, friendly, reliable, and fixed-fee immigration advice and legal representation for your UK visa as a dependant of a BNO household member. 

The high quality of UK visa and immigration legal services provided by our best team of immigration lawyers is self-evident from the 5-star Google Reviews rating by 99% of our clients. Our London-based immigration solicitors are available 7 days a week, 365 days a year, offering unwavering dedication and exceptional legal support for a wide range of UK visa and immigration cases. Our team of highly regarded immigration solicitors brings together more than 6 decades of collective, specialised expertise in successfully handling UK visa and immigration applications.

Meet Our Team of Immigration Solicitors in London

At Premium Solicitors, our strength lies in the expertise, dedication, and unwavering commitment of our immigration solicitors in London. We understand that immigration matters are life-changing events, and our team is here to guide you through every step of the dependent visa process with professionalism and care. 

Our team comprises a diverse group of immigration solicitors, each bringing a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table. We are united by a shared goal: to deliver the highest level of legal support and advocacy tailored to your immigration needs.

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Schedule Your Consultation With Our Immigration Solicitors

Are you seeking expert immigration advice and consultation from our highly experienced and qualified team of immigration solicitors and lawyers in London? It's easy to secure an appointment with our dedicated BNO visa specialists. Our expert team of immigration solicitors and advisors can provide detailed immigration advice and consultation, face-to-face in our offices in London and Birmingham or virtually via Zoom, Microsoft Teams, WhatsApp, or Phone. Book your appointment today using the appointment booking link provided below:

• Book An Appointment Online With Our Immigration Solicitors in London

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Our Fixed Fees for Switching to a BNO Household Member Dependant Visa

• Our immigration solicitors will charge a fixed fee ranging from £1,000 + VAT to £1,500 + VAT for your application for a BNO household member dependant visa from inside the UK. The agreed fee will depend on the complexity of the application and the volume of work involved in the BNO household member dependent visa application in the UK.
• Our fixed fee for the application does not cover any disbursements, e.g., the UKVI fee for the application, and the applicant must separately pay the Home Office UKVI fees.

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