Visa requirements for British Nationals (Overseas) are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states and territories placed on British National (Overseas) passport holders. British National (Overseas) status was available only to eligible Hong Kong residents who voluntarily registered before the 1997 handover. An estimated 2.9 million people are BN(O) status holders today, while the number of valid British National (Overseas) passports in circulation is significantly lower, at around 700,000, as many BN(O)s do not hold a current passport.
Holders of British National (Overseas) status are British nationals and Commonwealth citizens, but not British citizens. This nationality, by itself, does not grant the right of abode anywhere in the world, including the United Kingdom or Hong Kong, but all BN(O)s possess either right of abode or right to land in Hong Kong due to holding right of abode before 1997. BN(O)s are subject to British immigration controls and do not have the automatic right to live or work in the United Kingdom. From January 2021, they are eligible to apply for limited leave to remain to work or study in the UK with a path to citizenship, as a consequence of the Chinese national security law imposed on Hong Kong, which the UK considers a violation of the Sino-British Joint Declaration signed in 1984.
The British National (Overseas) status was created in 1985 in anticipation of the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong on 1 July 1997. This nationality was "tailor-made" for British Hong Kong residents with British Dependent Territories Citizen (BDTC) status by virtue of their connection with Hong Kong; it allowed the people of British Hong Kong to retain a relationship with the United Kingdom after the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong to China. BN(O)s enjoy consular protection as British nationals would when travelling outside Hong Kong. Since most BN(O)s also hold Chinese nationality, they do not enjoy consular protection in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau."United Kingdom Memorandum ", Sino-British Joint Declaration, 1984. From 1 July 1987 to 30 June 1997, nearly 3.4 million of British Dependent Territories Citizens in Hong Kong successfully registered as a British National (Overseas).Lords Hansard , British House of Lords, 22 March 2007 All BDTCs relate only to Hong Kong lost their BDTC status on 1 July 1997, and any BDTC who did not register as a BN(O) and without other nationality automatically acquired British Overseas Citizenship.
Visa requirements for other classes of British nationals such as British citizens, British Overseas Citizens, British Overseas Territories Citizens, British Protected Persons or British Subjects are different.
Starting from 31 January 2021, China no longer recognizes British National (Overseas) passports as valid travel documents. BN(O) passport holders need to use other identity documents such as their Hong Kong identity card for immigration clearance.
Visa requirements map
Visa requirements
Country Visa requirement Allowed stay Notes (excluding departure fees) 90 days 30 days 6 months 30 days 180 days 90 days BN(O) citizens can apply for an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) through the AustralianETA App on smart phone devices, which is valid for 12 months and allows BN(O) citizens to stay in Australia for 90 days per visit during the validity of the ETA. In response to the imposition of National Security Law on Hong Kong, Australia introduced a pathway for BN(O) citizens to obtain permanent residency. BN(O) citizens in the temporary skilled worker or graduate visa categories are eligible for a visa grant or extension for 5 years, with a pathway to permanent residency after 4 years of residence in Australia, or 3 years in regional Australia. 90 days90 days within any 180 day period in the Schengen Area 30 days 21 days Extendable up to eight months. 3 monthsVisas can be issued on arrival for a stay up to 3 months. eVisa issued for 14 days, extendable once. 30 daysVisa on arrival available at Dhaka International Airport 6 months 30 days Must arrive and leave via Minsk National Airport and not flights from Russia but this does not apply diplomatic or official passport holders. Due to safety concerns, the UK Government advises its citizens to avoid travelling to Belarus. 90 days90 days within any 180 day period in the Schengen Area 30 daysMust have an international vaccination certificate. Visa via approved tour operators only 90 days Be aware you may be given an initial 30 days and can extend it for another 60 days. The Department of Immigration has imposed an annual limit for tourists of 90 days without a visa. For longer periods you must seek advice from the Bolivian Embassy in London or the Department of Immigration office in La Paz. 90 days 90 days within any 6-month period. 90 days 90 daysExtendable for further 90 days BN(O) citizens transiting through Brunei International Airport for less than 24 hours do not require a visa; those traveling to a third country may obtain a transit visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 72 hours (fee: 5.00 BND/SGD). 90 days 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. 1 month 1 month From December 2021, passengers of all countries that required visa, can now obtain visa on arrival at Bujumbura International Airport, and all land borders. 30 daysExtendable for another 30 days. Pre-approved visa can be picked up on arrival. 6 months Canada introduced a new immigration scheme for British National (Overseas) after the enforcement of the national security law in Hong Kong: 3-year open work permits will be available for applicants who graduated within 10 years from either a recognised Canadian or overseas post-secondary institution. The pathway to permanent residency will be expedited under the scheme if the applicant accrues 1 year of Canadian legal work experience with any work permit. Alternatively, immediate permanent residency is available for current graduates from Canadian post-secondary institutions. eTA required if arriving by air. 30 daysMust register online at least five days prior to arrival. Due to security concerns, Government of UK advises its citizens to avoid travelling to Central African Republic. 90 daysMay be extended. BN(O) citizens who are also permanent residents of Hong Kong must enter China with a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents. Those who are also deemed Chinese citizens can stay in mainland China for the validity of the Travel Permit, they must apply for a separate resident permit if they stay for longer than six months, for employment or study. Those who are deemed non-Chinese citizens can only stay in China for up to 90 days as visitors, and must apply for an appropriate visa for other purposes using their other travel documents recognised by China. BN(O) citizens who are not permanent residents of Hong Kong must use other travel documents recognised by China and apply for the appropriate visa to enter the country. 90 days Extendable up to 180-days stay consecutively within a one-year period. 7 days 30 days 3 monthseVisa holders must arrive via Port Bouet Airport. 90 days 90 days within any 180 day period in the Schengen Area 90 daysCan be extended up to 90 days with a fee. 90 days90 days within any 180 day period 90 days90 days within any 180 day period in the Schengen Area 90 days90 days within any 180 day period in the Schengen Area (DK) 31 days 6 months except for Passengers with a British passport with nationality of British Overseas Territories Citizen shown on the bio-data pageHolders of a B1/B2 visa issued by United States can obtain a Tourist Card on arrival for a maximum stay of 30 days. 90 daysMay be extended. 30 days Visa required, except for Passengers with a British passport except those with nationality of British National (Overseas) shown on the bio-data page for a maximum stay of 3 months. Pre-approved visa can be picked up on arrival. 90 days90 days within any 180 day period in the Schengen Area 30 days up to 90 dayseVisa holders must arrive via Addis Ababa Bole International Airport. 4 months 90 days90 days within any 180 day period in the Schengen Area 90 days90 days within any 180 day period in the Schengen Area (in Regions of France) Must arrive via Libreville International Airport. 90 days 90 days90 days within any 180 day period in the Schengen Area Pre-approved visa can be picked up on arrival. 90 days90 days within any 180 day period in the Schengen Area 6 months Beginning on 1 December 2020, all travellers to Grenada will be required to complete an online application in order to receive a Pure Safe Travel Authorization Certificate to enter Grenada. 90 days 90 days BN(O) citizen passport holders require visa to enter Guyana and who may be unable to apply at any of Guyana's missions or consulates, visas will be issued on arrival. 90 days 90 days90 days within any 180 day period in the Schengen Area 90 days90 days within any 180 day period in the Schengen Area 30 days 30 days, 1 year and 5 years of eTourist visa is now available from Indian eVisa. However this service is not available for British citizens of Pakistani origin (i.e. someone with at least 1 Pakistani parent or grandparent). 60 days The (Visa on Arrival) costs 1,000,000 Indonesian rupiah, payable in cash or by card. It is valid for single entry only. You must meet passport validity requirements and have a return or onward ticket. For visa before available online. Due to security concerns, Government of UK advises its citizens to avoid travelling to Iran. 60 days British nationals can obtain a visa on arrival at Iraq's airports, land and sea crossings for 60 days, for a fee of US$75. Visa not required for up to 30 days to Iraqi Kurdistan. On 15 March 2021 the Iraqi government lifted pre-arrival visa requirements, allowing British citizens to apply for visa on arrival in any entry point. 90 days 3 months 90 days90 days within any 180 day period in the Schengen Area 180 days 90 days Visa can be obtained upon arrival, it will cost a total of 40 JOD, obtainable at most international ports of entry and land border crossings (except King Hussein/Allenby Bridge) 30 days 90 daysCan also enter on an East Africa Tourist Visa issued by Rwanda or Uganda. 30 days 30 days BNO passport has right to get E-ETA free till December 31, 2025. The government of the Republic of Korea announced that from April 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025, a K-ETA is not required for 27 countries citizens visiting Korea for 90 days or less for business or tourism. BN(O) Citizen can enter South Korea as a short term visit (e.g., tours, visiting relatives or friends, attending simple meetings) up to 30 days without a visa, though you should remain aware of the quarantine requirements. You must also have an onward or return ticket. It is illegal to work on a tourist visa, whether as a teacher or in any other capacity. Text was copied from this source, which is available under an Open Government Licence v3.0 . © Crown copyright.