You’ll need to pay a fee to apply for citizenship. Currently there are 350,000 BNO passport holders, but about three million Hong Kong residents are eligible for BNO passports - and that doesn't appear to include dependants born after 1997. In … British passports will go back to blue after Brexit, ditching EU burgundy. The British National Overseas (BNO) passport. The time is ticking for British holidaymakers to renew their passports, which could need as much as 15 months’ validity in the event of a no-deal Brexit. It’s worth noting that this does not include Ireland. Published 18 April 2018 'Iconic' blue British passport to return after Brexit. The Great British Race to Get a Second Passport As hard Brexit looms ever larger on the horizon, British citizens who want to keep living in Europe are taking matters into their own hands. Craig Choy, a lawyer and campaigner on BNO matters, says that letting in these British nationals would be a good way for the country to demonstrate its vaunted global openness after Brexit. cuts through the noise to find the facts. Pages inside the new passports will include images from across the UK after Britain leaves the EU in 2019. 1540: Travel papers are called passports for the first time. With the UK government on holiday until September, that scenario is looking increasingly likely. Passports will need to be valid for at least six months after October 31 – compared to current rules … Sign up for email updates. You’ll be able to apply to settle in the UK (also called ‘indefinite leave to remain’) once you’ve lived here for 5 years. You’ll be able to apply to enter or remain in the UK for a … You’ll be able to apply for settlement after 5 years if you meet the requirements, and British citizenship 12 months after settlement. It also warns that an application may take longer if more information is needed or … Published 18 April 2018 'Iconic' blue British passport to return after Brexit. About this visa The UK will open a ‘Hong Kong BN (O) visa’ for BN (O) citizens and their close family members from 31 January 2021. You’ll need to pay the following fee and each of your family members will need to pay the fee too: You’ll need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS). You don’t need a valid a BN(O) passport to show this and you don’t need to request a new passport if it’s expired or has been lost. THE first passport-type papers appeared in 1414 with a "safe conduct" document referred to in an Act of Parliament in Henry V's reign. Millions of UK holidaymakers have been warned they need to renew their passports by tomorrow or face being barred from entering several European countries under a no-deal Brexit. Non-EU citizens, like the British after Brexit, will pay about 100,000 euros.” An Irish passport could be a simple enough way to save that money. If you’ve already spent time in the UK on a route to settlement (for example, a general work (Tier 2) visa), this time will count towards the 5 years. More detailed information on what documents you need will be published before the visa route opens. Britain created the BNO status ahead of the 1997 handover to China, allowing Hongkongers to apply for a restricted form of a passport without the right of abode. You’ll be able to apply for the Hong Kong BN(O) visa from 31 January 2021. Expiry date rules set for a shake up BREXIT could render your passport invalid for travel across Europe, depending on … As a BNO only serves as a travel document, it does not affect the rights of a permanent Hong Kong resident. won’t be accepted for travel to Schengen Area countries, How to find the best flexible flight deals, Travel and holiday rules for tier 2 and tier 3 restrictions Q&A, Test to release and travel corridors: what quarantine rules mean for your holiday plans. More details will be published before the visa opens for applications. A survey has found that 93 per cent of British National Overseas (BNO) status holders in Hong Kong intend to emigrate to the UK within three years, as Britain begins a passport visa scheme next month. The UK will open a ‘Hong Kong BN(O) visa’ for BN(O) citizens and their close family members from 31 January 2021. UK confirms post-Brexit passport deal with Gemalto. Which? We use this information to make the website work as well as possible and improve government services. The new blue passport design is being phased in, with Brits already being issued the new design. A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Britain said Thursday that China firmly opposes Britain's offer to provide more privileges for Hong Kong residents holding BNO passports, and reserves the right to take corresponding measures. Some Brits … BNO status is a type of British nationality which was created specifically for citizens of Hong Kong in anticipation of the return of sovereignty to China, to allow them to retain a level of connection the UK after 1 July 1997. If your family members do not apply with you, they will not be able to apply for the Hong Kong BN(O) visa to join you later. The return of the blue passport is being hailed as a victory by pro-Brexit MPs British passports issued after October 2019 will be dark blue and gold, replacing the current burgundy model. In response, a Home Office spokesperson said: ‘HM Passport Office will have the appropriate resources in place to handle the extra renewal applications, in addition to its normal volumes.’. About 3.4 million Hong Kong citizens hold BNO passports, but only 22,000 of them applied for renewal by 2014. While it should take three weeks for your renewed or replaced passport to arrive, the closer we get to a no-deal Brexit on 31 October, the busier the Passport Office is likely to get as more holidaymakers realise they need to renew. By continuing to browse you consent to our use of cookies. While neither Britain nor China wants that, … Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone. On Friday, MPs in the House of Commons voted down Prime Minister Theresa … About 300,000 UK citizens live in Spain, yet few have applied for citizenship. It says that in 2016, the year of the EU referendum, 33 British citizens applied for Spanish nationality. The 20,000 BNO holders now living in … You’ll be able to apply to enter or remain in the UK for a period of 30 months (which you can extend by a further 30 months) or a period of 5 years. A BNO passport holder can hold an HKSAR passport at the same time. Moving to Germany after Brexit However, if you have an expired BN(O) passport you can submit it with your application. The rules require that passports must have been issued within the past 10 years and have at least six months’ validity remaining on the day of travel. Read more guidance for BN(O)s. For further information on this visa route read the Hong Kong BN(O) visa policy statement. As we reported earlier in the year, some passports won’t be accepted for travel to Schengen Area countries, such as Spain and Italy, if the UK leaves the EU without an agreement on 31 October 2019. British holidaymakers to existing rules for visitors from non-EU countries travelling to Schengen Area countries – 26 European countries that have officially abolished passport control at their mutual borders. A no-deal Brexit will leave millions of British holidaymakers with valid passports unable to travel to France and Spain after March 29. More detailed information will be published before the visa route opens. If the UK ends up leaving the EU without a deal after the transition period, rules for passports could change and you may need to take action. Brits can still move to Germany or any other EU country and work or live. However once the transition period has come to a close (it may be extended past the 31st December 2020) then it may become more difficult to move to Germany after Brexit. This page will be updated with the latest information about this new immigration route. /AP. You must show that you can accommodate and provide financial support for yourself and your family members for at least 6 months in the UK. The new burgundy passports were introduced from 30 March, the day after the UK was supposed to leave the EU. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. We use cookies to allow us and selected partners to improve your experience and our advertising. Will your passport be VALID in Europe after Brexit? Brits can still move to Germany or any other EU country and work or live. You can understand more and change your cookies preferences here. We use cookies to collect information about how you use GOV.UK. Peter Brady said he was "very happy" he … Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details. BNO holders in … However once the transition period has come to a close (it may be extended past the 31st December 2020) then it may become more difficult to move to Germany after Brexit. A survey has found that 93 per cent of British National Overseas (BNO) status holders in Hong Kong intend to emigrate to the UK within three years, as Britain begins a passport … I’ve had the message from the passport office warning that it might not be valid for travel to Europe after 29th March. Published 22 December 2017. The rules state that visitors from non-EU countries must have at least six months left on their passport … "Anyone who thinks they might be affected should look to renew their passport today or if you already have travel plans in the near future, consider using the fast-track passport renewal service." If you’re already in the UK, Jersey, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man, and your last grant of permission was for 6 months or less (for example leave outside the rules at the border), you must provide a TB test certificate from an approved centre in the UK. That means I had a British National Overseas (BNO) passport as a child. The Passport Office currently advises applicants that renewals can take up to three weeks, meaning that Britons have until early October to apply if they plan to travel immediately after Brexit. You can apply for the Hong Kong BN(O) visa if you are a BN(O) citizen. British passports will go back to blue after Brexit, ditching EU burgundy. We use cookies to allow us and selected partners to improve your experience and our advertising. Moving to Germany after Brexit Information about the requirements for the new Hong Kong BN(O) visa. Your family members who normally live with you may also be able to apply, including your: You and your family members must all apply together at the same time. Craig Choy, a lawyer and campaigner on BNO matters, says that letting in these British nationals would be a good way for the country to demonstrate its vaunted global openness after Brexit. You’ve accepted all cookies. China: UK is breaking its own position . It also warns that an application may take longer if more information is needed or your application hasn’t been filled out correctly. What is the current situation with passports amid Brexit chaos? For each child under the age of 18, this will be: Once you’ve paid the IHS, you’ll be able to use the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK. Those with BNO status can apply for and hold a British passport but are not entitled to full UK citizenship rights. You’ll need a valid travel document and you can use a valid Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport to travel if you have one. Our practical and impartial consumer advice, rigorously researched and regularly delivered by email, can help you prepare for when the UK leaves the EU. In 2017, that rose to 181, then rose again to 209 in 2018. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Hong Kong residents born after the 1997 handover are not eligible for the BNO passport - and those who did not apply for one before the handover are not allowed to do so now. Will my passport be valid after Brexit? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_National_(Overseas)_passport All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated, Tuberculosis (TB) certificate requirement, British National (Overseas) citizens in Hong Kong, Hong Kong: tuberculosis test clinics for a UK visa, How to apply for a British National Overseas passport from Hong Kong, Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance and support, Transparency and freedom of information releases, study (including applying for higher education courses), attend school if they are under 18 (all state schools are free), attend education and training if they are aged 16 to 19, spouse, civil partner or unmarried partner, adult child born on or after 1 July 1997 (and their spouse, or child under the age of 18), other family members (parent, grandparent, brother, sister, son or daughter) in exceptional circumstances where there is a high level of dependency, offers of support or accommodation from friends or family, £1,560 if you’re applying to stay for 30 months, £3,120 if you’re applying to stay for 5 years, £1,175 if you’re applying to stay for 30 months, £2,350 if you’re applying to stay for 5 years, have spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any 12 months in the previous 5 years. UK confirms post-Brexit passport deal with Gemalto. You won’t need to provide a TB test certificate if you were last given permission to stay in the UK for more than 6 months and you’ve provided a TB test certificate before. However, these nine months, or any period beyond 10 years, will not be valid for travel to Schengen Area countries. First I’m going to declare a personal interest, my passport expires in a few months and it’s had a few months added to it from when I renewed it last. Until recently, UK citizens who renewed their passport before it had expired had any remaining validity added to the validity of the new passport, up to a maximum of nine months. Here is a comparison between the visa-free statuses of a German passport (Power Rank 1), and a British passport (Power Rank 2). The BNO passport is basically a travel document that does not carry citizenship rights. 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