Hong Kong BN(O) Welcome Programme: for local authority officers, community and voluntary sector organisations, and community groups
People from Hong Kong and a British national (Overseas) are now able to apply for a British National (overseas) visa. This is known as a BNO visa which allows them to live, work and study in the UK. This can be for a period of 30 months (which can be extended by a further 30 months) or a period of 5 years. They can apply from outside or inside the UK (apply for settlement) and apply for British Citizenship 12 months after settlement.
You can find more information about applying for the visa on the Government webpages.
The Government have produced an online Welcome Pack for all BN(O) status holders with information, translated into Cantonese, on how to access services and understand life in the UK.
In addition, the Government has announced that it is going to provide funding for local authorities and regional Strategic Migration Partnerships to support new arrivals from Hong Kong. The regional Strategic Migration Partnerships cover the following areas and their contact details can be obtained by clicking on the relevant link.
Here in the South West, we cover the geographical county areas of the Isle of Scilly, Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Bristol, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire. Within this area, there are 33 county, unitary and district councils – see our map to find the council that covers your area.
local authorities and regional Strategic Migration Partnerships
- East of England Strategic Migration Partnership
- East Midlands Strategic Migration Partnership (EMSMP)
- London Strategic Migration Partnership (LSMP)
- North East Migration Partnership (NEMP)
- North West Regional Strategic Mgrtion Partnership (NWSMP)
- Northern Ireland Strategic Migration Partnership (NISMP)
- COSLA Strategic Migration Partnership (CSMP) – Scotland.
- South East Strategic Partnership for Migration (SESPM)
- South West Strategic Migration Partnership
- Wales Strategic Migration Partnership (WLGA)
- West Midlands Strategic Migration Partnership (WMSMP)
- Migration Yorkshire

Please complete the following form as we would welcome your involvement:
If you are interested in supporting our endeavours with the settlement of BN(O)’s from Hong Kong in any way, you can contact us at:
Dennett House
11 Middle Street
Taunton
TA1 1SH
(Please note our offices currently only have skeleton cover due to Covid -19 so it is best to ring or email.)
On: 01823 270101 and or HongKongBNO@swcouncils.gov.uk