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BNO Application Guide 2025: Easy Step-by-Step Tutorial with Expert Tips

BNO Application Guide 2025: Easy Step-by-Step Tutorial with Expert Tips

The United Kingdom has relaxed the British National Overseas Visa Program for BNO visas. Hong Kong residents who were born after 1997 and meet the conditions can apply for BNO visas on their own. This program provides a way to immigrate to the UK in accordance with the ""5+1"" residence rules and has come into effect on December 27, 2023. Even Hong Kong people born on or after July 1, 1997 and aged 18 or above can apply for a BNO visa in their own name as long as one of their parents holds a BNO. Fuuffy Cargo Flying We will organize the BNO application package for you, including application steps, required documents, and photo specifications. , as well as important information such as visa qualifications that many people are concerned about, to help you complete the entire application process more quickly!

 

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<h2 class=""font-bold mb-2"" data-selectable-paragraph="""">BNO Introduction BNO (British National (Overseas) passport) provides holders with six months of entry into the UK and ""limited residence"" right"". With the expansion of BNO rights, the holder and his or her dependent family members - covering spouses, partners and children under 18 years old - can enjoy a five-year residence permit, with the period allowed Study and work, but the holder cannot receive public funds including government benefits during this period. After five years plus one year of residence, the holder is eligible to apply to become a British citizen without having to worry about any quota restrictions. <div class="""">  <div class="""">The picture comes from the Internet <div class="""">  <h2 class=""font-bold mb-2"" data-selectable-paragraph="""">BNO application, renewal, and replacement qualifications</h2 > <ol class=""""> <li id=""6197"" class="""" data-selectable-paragraph="""">

Many people have doubts about how Hong Kong people born around 1997 should apply for BNO. The following will explain the requirements for applying for BNO for Hong Kong people in the two situations. Conditions met:

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Application/renewal of BNO passport for those born before 1997

Hong Kong residents who already have a BNO: If you have successfully applied for a BNO before July 1, 1997, you can now apply for it through Renew through the online platform.

*Persons born between January 1 and June 30, 1997 must complete the BNO renewal process before September 30 of the same year.

 

Hong Kong residents who have not applied for BNO: If your parents hold BNO and you are under 16 years old at the time, you are recorded in As an ""included child"" in your passport, you now have the opportunity to apply for a BNO for the first time.

 

Application/renewal of bno passport for those born after 1997

Originally, only Hong Kong residents who had successfully obtained BNO before July 1, 1997 were eligible to renew their BNO. For Hong Kong residents born after 1997, British Home Secretary Helena Peng announced a new policy on August 2 that allows descendants of at least one parent to hold a BNO. Apply for BNO visa. The regulations of the British Home Office state that people who want to apply for a BNO visa must be over 18 years old and be a BNO qualification holder or a child of a BNO qualification holder on or after July 1, 1997. Overseas applicants must have their permanent place of residence in Hong Kong; if they apply in the UK or other regions, they must prove that their place of residence is that place.

 

How to check whether I am eligible to apply for BNO?

According to British official data, there are currently about one million Hong Kong residents who are eligible to apply for BNO, but the actual number of people holding valid BNO passports is only a few hundred thousand. Many Hong Kong people have BNO qualifications but have never applied for a passport, or their passports have expired. If you are not sure whether you are eligible to apply for BNO, you can follow the steps below to check:

 

1. Contact the UK Passport Agency via email (DPA.Queries@hmpo.gov.uk)
2. Email subject: ""SAR (Subject access request) – British National (Overseas) passport""
3. Provide your full English name, year and date of birth, place of birth, and a copy of your ID card in the body of the email.
4. Please indicate clearly that you wish to receive the query results by email or mail.

 

You can also download and fill in the ""HMPO data subject rights from the British Passport Office official website request form"" form to apply, you can usually receive a response within one week to one month. If you already have a BNO passport before, the relevant department will inform you of the BNO passport number, application date and expiration date.

 

<h2 class=""font-bold mb-2"" data-selectable-paragraph="""">Documents required for BNO application/renewal <ol class=""""> <li class="""" data-selectable-paragraph="""">To apply for a BNO document, you must prepare the following documents:

 

- A two-sided color photocopy of the Hong Kong and Macao permanent resident certificate
- A photocopy of the applicant’s own color birth certificate
- Past 12 months Valid proof of address, such as bank letter, tax, electricity bill

- Color photocopy of a valid passport other than BNO, each page must be copied; or the original of the passport must be provided.
- If you are renewing your BNO, please provide your existing BNO passport without corners clipped

(If your passport is lost or damaged, you need to complete ""Cancel a lost or stolen passport< /a>"" form)


For BNO renewal, change of personal information or first application for BNO, in addition to necessary In addition to submitting the BNO-related application documents mentioned above, the following supporting materials may also be required:

 

- Declaration document confirmed by counter-signer
- Applicant’s Birth certificate
- Birth certificate of the applicant’s parents
- Parents’ marriage certificate

 

*Please confirm with the official for the latest requirements and submission of required documents

<ol class=""""> <li class="""" data-selectable-paragraph="""">  <h2 class=""font-bold mb-2"" data-selectable-paragraph="""">BNO application/renewal fee <ol class=""""> <li class="""" data-selectable-paragraph="""">There are two passport specifications to choose from when applying for or renewing BNO: <li class="""" data-selectable-paragraph="""">  <li id=""b9d6"" class="""" data-selectable-paragraph="""">34-page passport (valid for 10 years): £86, approx. Hong Kong dollar (exchange rate in March 2024) <li id=""0d2e"" class="""" data-selectable-paragraph="""">50-page passport (valid for 10 years): £96, approx. Hong Kong dollar (exchange rate in March 2024)

 

You can pay online to apply for/renew the BNO passport via credit card Visa or Mastercard. After the payment is completed, you will receive an email and SMS containing login information. Notification of website link and application number. In addition, you can check the application progress online at any time, and updates on the application progress will be sent to you regularly via text messages.

 

Fuuffy reminds you: If you apply for BNO online, you must submit your application within 90 days Provide all required documents, if not completed within this deadline, the application will be considered invalid and no money will be refunded.

 

<ol class=""""> <li class="""" data-selectable-paragraph=""""> <h2 class=""font-bold mb-2"" data-selectable-paragraph="""">BNO application/renewal steps

Step 1:Apply for BNO online
< strong >Step 2:Fill in personal information, upload photos, and make online payment.
Step 3: (If necessary) Seek qualified personnel for signature confirmation
Step 4:Send the necessary documents to the British Passport Processing Center via Hong Kong Post or international express delivery

 

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Application step questions:

<p id=""84ad"" class="""" data-selectable-paragraph="""">1. Have you had a UK passport before? (Have you ever held a British passport?)

<p id=""d58e"" class="""" data-selectable-paragraph="""">Select ""YES"", BNO is one of the British passports. <p class="""" data-selectable-paragraph=""""> 

<p id=""13ef"" class="""" data-selectable-paragraph="""">2. Do you have any passports from other countries? (Do you hold a passport from other countries?)

<p id=""e090"" class="""" data-selectable-paragraph="""">If you have a SAR passport, select ""YES"". <section class="""" style=""color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8);"">

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How to check the progress of BNO application?

You can track the status of your application via email. BNO visa applications may sometimes be unsuccessful, and some of the reasons for failure are quite common! Before submitting your application, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the following key information: [[BNO Visa application tutorial] 7 common reasons for application failure, visa fees, required documents, approval time]</ p>

 

Application for BNO photo specifications

The British official allows BNO photos to use selfies as ID photos during the application process, It also explains in detail the specific requirements for taking selfie ID photos. The requirements for selfies are similar to traditional ID photos, but the photo specifications for infants and adults are different:

 

Adult BNO ID photo specifications
- Pure white photo background
- Natural expression, no smiling
- No glasses or hats
- Hair should not cover the face
< span style=""font-size: 12pt;"">- Make sure your eyes are clearly visible

 

Infant BNO ID photo specifications
- Pure white photo background- toys should not appear in the photo


Applicants need to crop the photo to the specified size and upload it to the BNO official website in JPEG format. Specific photo requirements and details can be Please refer to the official website for photo specifications for applying for BNO.

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<h2 id=""7769"" data-selectable-paragraph="""">Is it better to send BNO to a side room?

<div class="""" style=""color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8);"" role=""separator""> <p id=""7b69"" data-selectable-paragraph="""">After completing the above steps to apply for a BNO passport and preparing the required documents, many people will ask: ""Send Is BNO the best?"" In addition to freight, speed and safety are equally important. After all, BNO files are important documents, and you don’t want the shipping process to take too long, or to be lost or damaged in the mail.

<p data-selectable-paragraph="""">  <p data-selectable-paragraph="""">Generally UPS, DHL and FedEx are common international express delivery methods used to send BNO, If you are considering choosing the express delivery that is the most affordable and not too slow, you can choose Aramex. The shipping fee is as low as HK$180 and it is expected to be delivered in 4-8 working days. If you want to know more about Aramex’s services, please click [【Aramex Shipping Tutorial】How to send with the cheapest shipping fee Shipment overseas? Are Aramex reviews good?] Learn more. <p data-selectable-paragraph="""">  <p data-selectable-paragraph="""">If you are in a hurry to send BNO documents to the UK, you can choose UPS with a high CP value, which only takes 3-5 working days. Can be delivered to the UK. However, the price is relatively high, about HK$309. <p data-selectable-paragraph="""">  <p data-selectable-paragraph="""">*Latest price at fuuffy.com The price of the day is correct <p data-selectable-paragraph="""">  <p data-selectable-paragraph="""">After comparing with the quotation on DHL’s official website, you can see that the lowest shipping cost for sending documents to the UK via DHL is approximately It is HKD 405. On the Fuuffy cargo flight platform, Aramex’s discount price is HK$225 cheaper than DHL, which is a more economical choice in terms of price. <p data-selectable-paragraph="""">  <p data-selectable-paragraph=""""> *The latest price is based on the price of the day on DHL’s official website <p data-selectable-paragraph=""""> 

BNO application document mailing address

<p data-selectable-paragraph="""">For your convenience, Fuuffy editor has prepared the mailing address for BNO application documents for everyone! Articles you may be interested in: [Is it better to send BNO documents to other places? Comparison between Hong Kong Post and international express delivery: freight, timeliness, precautions] <p data-selectable-paragraph=""""> 

<p data-selectable-paragraph="""">HM Passport Office <p data-selectable-paragraph="""">(PEX number) <p data-selectable-paragraph="""">101 Old Hall Street <p data-selectable-paragraph="""">Liverpool <p data-selectable-paragraph="""">L3 9BP <p data-selectable-paragraph="""">United Kingdom

<p data-selectable-paragraph="""">  <p data-selectable-paragraph="""">* Please note: The British government may make adjustments to the rules and requirements for BNO applications. Before submitting an application, applicants are advised to visit the UK official website for the latest application information. For further inquiries or if you have any questions, please contact the British Consulate in Hong Kong. <section class="""" style=""color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8);"">


<h2 class=""font-bold mb-2"" data-selectable-paragraph="""">What situations require BNO Counter signature? <p id=""56e5"" class="""" data-selectable-paragraph="""">I often hear friends mention that BNO renewal or application requires a countersignature. In fact A countersignature from BNO is not required for every applicant! Proof of a countersigner is only required if the following specific conditions are met: <p class="""" data-selectable-paragraph="""">  <ol class=""""> <li id=""9e43"" class="""" data-selectable-paragraph="""">

1. The old BNO passport is lost, stolen or damaged
2. The appearance is significantly different from the photo in the old passport
3. Personal information Major changes, such as name changes
4. First application for adult passport, first application for child passport

<ol class=""""> <li class="""" data-selectable-paragraph=""""> 

BNO counter-signature requirements

The British Passport Office has clear conditions for qualifications to serve as a counter-signer. Counter-signers must meet the following conditions:

 

- Persons aged 18 or over
- Live in the UK</span >
- Hold a passport from the UK, EU, Commonwealth or USA
- Belong to specific professional categories, such as journalists, lawyers, dentists, etc.
- Have known the applicant for at least two years ( Excluding family members)

 

Not eligible to apply for BNO countersignature

- Family members of the applicant (whether related by blood or not)
- The applicant's partner or someone living at the same address
- Staff working at the UK Passport Office
< span style=""font-size: 12pt;"">- If you are a doctor, you need to prove that you are friends with the applicant and you can identify the applicant from the photo

 

Where proof of a counter-signer is required, Applicants should visit the website provided by the UK Passport Office , download and complete the counter-signer certification form, including the counter-signer's personal information and signature, and attach a photocopy of the counter-signer's color passport and mail it to the British Passport Office. If a suitable countersigner cannot be found, the applicant may also write a letter of explanation explaining that there is no qualified countersigner to choose from. The Passport Office may ask for additional supplementary documents.

 

What is the difference between a British passport and a BNO passport?

British passport holders are recognized as British nationals and enjoy the right of residence and the rights and benefits of other citizens. As for the BNO passport (British National (Overseas) passport), its holder does not have automatic residency rights. If you intend to settle in the UK, you need to apply for a BNO visa and follow the ""5+1 path"" to meet the naturalization conditions.

 

Comparison of Hong Kong SAR passport and BNO visa-free countries

When traveling with a Hong Kong SAR passport and BNO passport,the countries that are visa-free or visa-on-arrival are Regions vary. The respective visa-free country ranges for these two passports reflect the diplomatic relations and agreements between the different countries and the UK and Hong Kong.

 

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport: Holders of the SAR passport enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival facilities for many countries, covering a wide range of areas, including Canada, Finland, France, Italy, Japan, etc.

 

BNO Passport: You can enjoy visa-free, visa-on-arrival or electronic visa to travel to 189 countries and regions around the world. Including the United Kingdom, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan, the United States, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, and Spain.

 

The list of visa-free countries may be adjusted as the international political environment and foreign policies change. Therefore, before planning a trip, passport holders should check the latest visa-free country information to ensure a smooth trip.

 

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<div class=""""> <p class="""" data-selectable-paragraph="""">Whether it is exploring BNO application qualifications, visa-free countries for Hong Kong SAR passports, or comparing shipping from Hong Kong to Canada The key to choosing express delivery is to understand and follow relevant policies and regulations. For Hong Kong people, holding different types of passports opens the door to travel around the world, while also providing a variety of choices and conveniences. Whether you are immigrating, working or studying, or sending your thoughts and belongings to relatives and friends overseas, it is important to choose the appropriate channel and method. If you want to know more about immigration or mailing information, please continue to pay attention to Fuuffy Blog updates~ <p class="""" data-selectable-paragraph=""""> <p class="""" data-selectable-paragraph="""">  <p class="""" data-selectable-paragraph=""""> 

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