Entry Clearance As A Dependant Of BNO Household Member
If you are the dependent partner or child of a British National (Overseas) [BNO] household member, you may apply for entry clearance for a BNO household member dependant visa from outside the UK. This application must be submitted in accordance with the criteria outlined in Appendix Hong Kong British National (Overseas) of the UK Immigration Rules. Upon approval of your entry clearance application for the BNO household member dependant visa, you will be granted a visa for the same duration as the sponsoring BNO household member’s visa.
Aden & Co Solicitors are experts in UK immigration law, offering exceptional services for all visa and immigration-related matters. Our highly skilled team of fully qualified solicitors ensures top-notch legal advice and representation, evident from our stellar reputation and numerous 5-star reviews from satisfied clients.
Our specialist immigration solicitors are available to provide expert legal counsel and representation for your BNO household member dependant visa entry clearance application on a fixed-fee basis. Feel free to reach out to our team of BNO visa solicitors online for complimentary immigration advice, or schedule an appointment for a comprehensive consultation regarding your BNO dependant visa application from outside the UK.
Requirements for BNO Household Member Dependant Visa Entry Clearance
Individuals applying for the BNO Household Member Dependant Visa entry clearance must comply with the following Immigration Rules:
Valid Entry Clearance Application
The applicant must submit a valid entry clearance application from outside the UK, in alignment with the standards specified in Appendix Hong Kong British National (Overseas) of the Immigration Rules.
Suitability Criteria
Applicants must not meet the grounds for refusal outlined in Part 9 of the Immigration Rules, which details the conditions for refusal.
Relationship Criteria for Dependent Partner
When applying for entry clearance, if the applicant has not previously held permission under the BN(O) Household Member route, they must fulfill the relationship conditions outlined in HK 35.3 to HK 35.9.
To qualify, the applicant must be the partner of a sponsoring BN(O) household member under one of the following circumstances:
- The sponsoring BN(O) household member has valid permission under the BN(O) Household Member route; or
- The sponsoring BN(O) household member is simultaneously applying for, and receiving, entry clearance or permission under the BN(O) Household Member route.
Additionally, both the applicant and the BN(O) Household Member must be 18 years or older at the time of application.
If the applicant and BN(O) Household Member are not married or in a civil partnership, they must satisfy the following conditions:
- They must have lived together in a relationship akin to marriage or civil partnership for at least two years preceding the application date.
- Any previous relationships of either the applicant or the BN(O) Household Member must have permanently ended.
- They must not be closely related in a manner that would prevent them from marrying in the UK.
The relationship between the applicant and the BN(O) Household Member must be genuine and ongoing.
If the BN(O) Household Member is the child of a person applying under the BN(O) Status Holder route as a partner, both the applicant and the BN(O) Household Member must be part of the same household at the time of the application. A person is considered part of the same household if they normally reside with the BN(O) Household Member.
Lastly, both the applicant and the BN(O) Household Member must intend to live together for the entire duration of the applicant’s stay in the UK.
Dependent Child Relationship Requirements for BN(O) Household Members
To qualify as a dependent child under the BN(O) Household Member route, the applicant must be the child of a sponsoring BN(O) household member, where one of the following conditions is met:
- The sponsoring BN(O) household member holds valid permission under the BN(O) Household Member route, or
- The sponsoring BN(O) household member is simultaneously applying for (and granted) entry clearance or permission under the BN(O) Household Member route.
In cases where neither parent of the applicant holds BN(O) status, if the applicant is seeking entry clearance or permission to stay, and has not previously been granted permission as a dependent child on the BN(O) Household Member route, they must reside with the sponsoring BN(O) Household Member on the application date. The applicant will be considered part of the same household if they typically live with the BN(O) Household Member.
For children born in the UK to a BN(O) Household Member or their partner, the applicant must submit a full UK birth certificate listing both parents’ names.
Age and Care Criteria for Dependent Children
The applicant must be under 18 years of age at the time of application and intend to live with a parent who holds permission under the BN(O) Household Member route for the duration of their stay in the UK, unless a valid reason for not living with that parent can be provided. Suitable arrangements for the child’s care and accommodation must be in place, ensuring compliance with all relevant UK laws and regulations.
Ordinary Residence Requirement
Applicants seeking entry clearance as a dependent child or partner must be ordinarily resident in Hong Kong at the time of application.
Financial Requirements for BNO Household Member Dependant Visa
When applying for entry clearance or seeking permission to remain in the UK, individuals who have been in the UK for less than 12 months or those whose previous permission was granted for 12 months under Leave Outside the Rules (following an unsuccessful application for the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) route) must demonstrate that they can be adequately maintained and accommodated. This includes proof that the BN(O) Household Member, their partner, or a person granted permission under the BN(O) Status Holder route can support the applicant without recourse to public funds for a minimum of six months.
Adequate accommodation will be assessed on the following conditions:
- The accommodation must not be overcrowded.
- The accommodation must comply with public health regulations.
The BN(O) Household Member, their partner, or a person granted permission under the BN(O) Status Holder route may rely on credible promises of future third-party support. Additionally, they must prove that they possess the necessary financial resources, as detailed in Appendix Finance.
Tuberculosis Test Certificate Requirement
Applicants seeking entry clearance as the dependent partner or child of a BN(O) Household Member must provide a valid tuberculosis (TB) test certificate. This certificate must confirm that the applicant has undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that the condition is not present, as outlined in paragraph A39 and Appendix T of the immigration rules.
Conditions and Terms for Granting BN(O) Household Member Dependant Visa
When applying for the BN(O) Household Member Dependant Visa, the grant period for a partner or child who is not yet authorized under the BN(O) Household Member route will align with the main BN(O) Household Member’s permission. This means that the dependent’s visa will expire on the same date as the principal applicant’s visa.
The visa grant will be subject to the following conditions:
- No access to public funds.
- Permission to work, including self-employment and voluntary roles, is granted, except for employment as a professional sportsperson or sports coach.
- Study is permitted, with adherence to the ATAS condition outlined in Appendix ATAS.
How We Can Assist You with Your BNO Household Member Dependant Visa Application
At Aden & Co Solicitors, our experienced team of immigration specialists offers expert advice and legal representation for your entry clearance application for a BNO household member dependant visa, all for a fixed fee. This comprehensive fixed fee covers all the necessary work related to your application until the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO) reaches a decision.
Our immigration solicitors will manage the following essential steps to ensure your application is handled efficiently:
- Expert Guidance on Eligibility Requirements: Our solicitors will clearly outline the specific requirements you must meet to successfully apply for your BNO household member dependant visa.
- Document Preparation and Guidance: We will provide you with a complete list of required supporting documents for your application, ensuring all paperwork is in order for submission.
- Document Review and Compliance Check: Our team will meticulously review your documents to ensure they align with the Immigration Rules and are acceptable for your entry clearance application.
- Accurate Application Form Completion: We will complete the necessary application form for your BNO household member dependant visa, ensuring it meets all the legal standards.
- Expedited Submission through Priority or Super Priority Service: If eligible, we will submit your online entry clearance application using the Priority or Super Priority service, aiming to secure a faster decision.
- Appointment Scheduling at the Application Centre: After your online submission, we will arrange your appointment at the application centre for biometric enrolment.
- Detailed Cover Letter Preparation: Our solicitors will prepare a thorough cover letter that supports your BNO household member dependant visa application, ensuring all legal requirements are clearly explained for approval.
- Uploading Supporting Documents: Prior to your biometrics enrolment, we will upload all supporting documents online for review in support of your application.
- Ongoing Follow-up and Monitoring: Our team will diligently track the progress of your application and handle any follow-up work until a final decision is made by the Entry Clearance Officer (ECO).
One-Off Services for UK Visa Entry Clearance Applications by Aden & Co Solicitors
At Aden & Co Solicitors, we offer a comprehensive range of one-off legal services tailored for UK visa entry clearance applications. These services are ideal for individuals who prefer not to engage in our full-service package. Our expert immigration team can assist you with any of the following one-off services:
Fixed Fee Structure for BNO Household Member Dependant Visa Entry Clearance Application
At Aden & Co Solicitors, we offer a clear and transparent fixed fee structure for the Entry Clearance Application of the BNO Household Member Dependant Visa for the UK. Our professional immigration solicitors will charge a fixed fee ranging from £1,000 to £1,500 (excluding VAT), depending on the complexity and the amount of work involved in processing your application.
Please note that this fixed fee covers only our expert legal services. It does not include any disbursements such as the UKVI application fees, which must be paid separately by the applicant. Rest assured, we will guide you through the application process to ensure a seamless experience in obtaining your visa.