Once you have the BNO visa, you can live in the UK for 5 years (or 30 months+30 months).

At the end of the 5 years, you either have to leave the UK, or apply for settled status that is known as “Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)”.

To qualify for ILR you must not have left the UK for more than 180 days in any 12-month period during the 5 years.

You also have to prove your knowledge of the English language when you apply for ILR/citizenship. So make sure you use these 5 years to brush up your English. For advice, have a look at this post.

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What are my rights during these 5 years? ⦁ 坐五年「移民監」時嘅權利

Visa holders can:

• Work in the UK ‘in almost any capacity’: You can apply for jobs, or start your own business!
• Have access to education: This includes schooling for child dependants who are under 18. Those aged 16-19 can have access to education and training. You can also apply for higher education courses.
• Have access to healthcare like any British resident, because you already paid your Immigration Health Surcharge.

You cannot claim benefits. To know what these benefits are, visit this page. In short, you will not have access to unemployment, child and housing benefits.

You will pay taxes and national insurance in the UK on earnings here. 

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This post is part of a series  ⦁ 移民英國四部曲 Step 1: Apply for the Hong Kong BNO Visa  Step 2: Limited leave to remain for 5 years Step 3 and Step 4: Settled status/British citizenship  Coming here on “Leave Outside the Rules”

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