The British National (Overseas) status was created in 1985 in anticipation of the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong on 1 July 1997.[1] 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 China, Hong Kong and Macau.[4] 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).[5] 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.
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 in conjunction with their BN(O) for immigration clearance.[6]
Country | Visa requirement | Allowed stay | Notes (excluding departure fees) |
---|
Afghanistan | | | |
Albania | | 90 days | |
Algeria | [7] | | |
Andorra | | | |
Angola | | 30 days | |
Antigua and Barbuda | [8] | 6 months | |
Argentina | [9] | 30 days[10] | |
Armenia | | 180 days[11] | |
Australia | | 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.
|
Austria | | 90 days |
|
Azerbaijan | | 30 days[12] | |
Bahamas | [13] | 21 days
| |
Bahrain | [16] | 3 months | - Visas can be issued on arrival for a stay up to 3 months.[17]
- eVisa issued for 14 days, extendable once.[18]
|
Bangladesh | | 30 days |
|
Barbados | [22] | 6 months[23] | |
Belarus | [24] | 30 days | |
Belgium | | 90 days |
|
Belize | [25] | | |
| [26] | 30 days | - Must have an international vaccination certificate.
|
Bhutan | [27] [28] | | - Visa via approved tour operators only[29] [30]
|
| [31] | 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.[32]
|
Bosnia and Herzegovina | | 90 days | - 90 days within any 6-month period.
|
Botswana | | 90 days | |
Brazil | [33] | 90 days | - Extendable for further 90 days[34]
|
| [35] | | - Pre-approved visa can be picked up on arrival
|
Bulgaria | | 90 days |
|
Burkina Faso | [36] | 1 month | |
Burundi | | 1 month |
|
Cambodia | | 30 days | - Extendable for another 30 days.[38] [39]
|
Cameroon | [40] | | - Pre-approved visa can be picked up on arrival.
|
Canada | | 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.[41] [42]
|
Cape Verde | [43] | 30 days | - Must register online at least five days prior to arrival.[44]
|
Central African Republic | [45] | | |
Chad | | | |
Chile | | 90 days |
|
| | | - 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.[46]
|
Colombia | [47] | 90 days | - Extendable up to 180-days stay consecutively within a one-year period.[48] [49]
|
Comoros | | | |
| | | |
| [50] [51] | 7 days | |
Costa Rica | | 30 days | |
Cote d'Ivoire | [52] | 3 months |
|
Croatia | | 90 days |
|
Cuba | | 90 days | - Can be extended up to 90 days with a fee.
|
Cyprus | | 90 days | - 90 days within any 180 day period
|
Czech Republic | | 90 days |
|
Denmark | | 90 days |
|
Djibouti | [53] | 31 days | |
Dominica | | 6 months | |
Dominican Republic | [54] | | - Holders of a visa issued by Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Romania and any Schengen Area country can obtain a Tourist Card on arrival for a maximum stay of 30 days.
|
Ecuador | | 90 days |
|
Egypt | [55] | 30 days | |
El Salvador | [56] | | |
Equatorial Guinea | [57] | | |
Eritrea | | | - Pre-approved visa can be picked up on arrival.
|
Estonia | | 90 days |
|
| | 30 days | |
Ethiopia | | up to 90 days |
|
Fiji | | 4 months | |
Finland | | 90 days |
|
France | | 90 days |
|
Gabon | | |
|
Gambia | | 90 days | |
Georgia | | | |
Germany | | 90 days |
|
Ghana | | | - Pre-approved visa can be picked up on arrival.
|
Greece | | 90 days |
|
Grenada | | 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.[59]
|
Guatemala | | 90 days | |
Guinea | [60] | 90 days | |
Guinea-Bissau | | 90 days | |
Guyana | [61] | | - 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.
|
Haiti | | 90 days | |
Honduras | [62] | | |
Hungary | | 90 days |
|
Iceland | | 90 days |
|
India | | | - Not eligible to apply for Electronic Travel Authority online: British Nationals (Overseas) must apply traditional sticker visa through Indian embassies or consulates.
|
Indonesia | | | - Not eligible to apply for eVOA online: British Nationals (Overseas) must apply traditional sticker visa through Indonesia embassies or consulates.
|
| | | |
Iraq | [63] | 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.[64]
|
Ireland | | 90 days | |
Israel | | 3 months | |
Italy | | 90 days |
|
Jamaica | | 180 days | |
Japan | | 90 days |
Jordan | [65] | | - 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)
|
Kazakhstan | | 30 days | |
Kenya | [66] | 90 days | - Can also enter on an East Africa Tourist Visa issued by Rwanda or Uganda.[67]
|
Kiribati | | 30 days | |
| | | |
| [68] | 30 days | - 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.[69]
- You must be in possession of a Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) to enter Korea visa-free. You can complete your K-ETA application up to 24 hours before boarding your flight and it will be valid for two years from the date of approval. There is a small, non-refundable charge.
|
Kuwait | | 3 months[70] | |
Kyrgyzstan | [71] | 60 days | |
| | 30 days [72] | |
Latvia | | 90 days |
|
Lebanon | | | - Tourist groups of minimum 8 people can obtain a visa on arrival at Beirut International Airport for a maximum stay of 6 months. They must be sponsored by a registered tour operator in Lebanon.
|
Lesotho | | 14 days | |
Liberia | [73] | | - Pre-approved visa can be picked up on arrival.
|
Libya | [74] | | |
Liechtenstein | | 90 days |
|
Lithuania | | 90 days |
|
Luxembourg | | 90 days |
|
Madagascar | | 60 days | |
Malawi | | 30 days | |
Malaysia | | 1 month | |
Maldives | | 30 days | |
Mali | [75] | | |
Malta | | 90 days |
|
Marshall Islands | [76] | 90 days | - 90 days within any 180-day period
- Issued free of charge
|
Mauritania | | |
|
Mauritius | | 90 days | |
Mexico | | 180 days[77] | |
| | 30 days | |
| | 90 days | - 90 days within any 180 day period
|
Monaco | | 30 days | |
Mongolia | [78] | 30 days[79] [80] |
Montenegro | | 90 days | - Must register with the local police station (either through a tourist organisation or at hotel reception) within 24 hours of arrival.[81]
|
Morocco | | 90 days | - For periods of longer than 90 days, a resident permit is required and can be issued by the Police Department in place of residence in Morocco.[82] [83]
|
Mozambique | [84] | 30 days | |
Myanmar | [85] | 28 days |
|
Namibia | | 3 months | - 3 months within a calendar year[86] [87]
|
Nauru | | | - In addition of a visa, an application should be obtained by email via the Directorate of Immigration.
|
Nepal | | 90 days[88] | - Visa-on-arrival is extendable[89]
|
Netherlands | | 90 days |
|
New Zealand | | 3 months | - May enter using eGate.[90]
- Holders of a British non-citizen passport who can provide evidence of the right to reside permanently in the United Kingdom may be granted a Visitor Visa current for six months on arrival, subject to meeting character requirements and providing that the purposes of the visit do not include medical consultation or treatment. Electronic Travel Authority must be obtained prior to departure.[91]
- Holders of an Australian Permanent Resident Visa or Resident Return Visa may be granted a New Zealand Resident Visa on arrival permitting indefinite stay (pursuant to the Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement), subject to meeting character requirements and obtaining an Electronic Travel Authority prior to departure.[92]
|
Nicaragua | | 90 days | |
Niger | | | |
Nigeria | [93] | 90 days | - Pre-approved visa can be picked up on arrival.
|
| | 90 days | |
Norway | | 90 days |
|
Oman | [94] | 14 days / 30 days | |
Pakistan | [95] | 30 days | - Electronic Travel Authorization to obtain a visa on arrival for tourism purposes.[96]
- Electronic Travel Authorization to obtain a visa on arrival for business purposes.[97]
- Online Visa eligible.[98]
|
Palau | | 30 days | |
Panama | | 90 days | - As of December 2021: The maximum time of stay in Panama will be 1 to 3 months. If the visa is granted for 3 months, it cannot be extended. If the visa is for a shorter time and you need to extend your stay, you must apply personally to the National Immigration Service Directorate upon arrival in Panama.[99]
- Regular entry: Visa stamp (180 days) length determined on arrival
- The maximum amount of time that you can stay in Panama is six months. For longer than six months, you may extend your stay applying for an extension of visa with the Offices of Immigration in Panama.[100] British nationals don't need a visa to visit Panama except if arriving by sea.[101] [102]
|
Papua New Guinea | [103] | 60 days |
|
Paraguay | | 90 days | |
Peru | | 183 days | - Visa stamp (up to 183 days) length determined on arrival
|
Philippines | | 7 days | - A tourist visa is available from the Philippine Embassy before you travel, which will allow an initial total of 59-day stay.[104] [105]
- For longer periods, a visa extension is available once inside the country from the Bureau of immigration.[106]
|
Poland | | 90 days |
|
Portugal | | 90 days |
|
Qatar | [107] | |
Romania | | 90 days |
|
| | | |
Rwanda | | 30 days | - Can also be entered on an East Africa Tourist Visa issued by Kenya or Uganda.
|
Saint Kitts and Nevis | | 3 months | |
Saint Lucia | | 6 weeks | |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | | 6 months | |
Samoa | | 60 days | |
San Marino | | | |
| | 15 days | |
Saudi Arabia | [109] [110] | 90 days | |
Senegal | | 90 days | |
Serbia | | 90 days | |
Seychelles | | 3 months | |
Sierra Leone | [111] [112] | 30 days | |
Singapore | | 30 days |
|
Slovakia | | 90 days |
|
Slovenia | | 90 days |
|
Solomon Islands | | 3 months |
|
Somalia | | | |
South Africa | | 30 days | |
| [113] [114] | | - Obtainable online[115]
- Printed visa authorization must be presented at the time of travel
|
Spain | | 90 days |
|
Sri Lanka | | 4 months | - Visa on arrival with Electronic Travel Authorization.
- British Nationals (Overseas) are allowed to extend their stay twice when in the country to a maximum stay of 90 days in total.[116]
|
Sudan | [117] | | |
Suriname | [118] | 90 days | - An entrance fee of 25 USD or 25 Euros must be paid online prior to arrival.[119]
- Multiple entry eVisa is also available.[120]
|
Sweden | | 90 days |
|
Switzerland | | 90 days |
|
| [121] | | |
Tajikistan | [122] | 45 days | |
| [123] | 3 months | |
| | 30 days (as of April 1, 2023) | - If not arriving by air, British Nationals (Overseas) are only permitted two visits per year.
- For longer periods up to 60 days, a Tourist visa is available online.[124]
|
Timor-Leste | | 30 days |
|
Togo | [125] | 15 days | |
Tonga | | 31 days | |
Trinidad and Tobago | | | |
Tunisia | | 3 months | |
Turkey | | 3 months | |
Turkmenistan | | | - Pre-approved visa can be picked up on arrival.
|
Tuvalu | | 1 month | |
Uganda | | 3 months | - May apply online.[126]
- Can also be entered on an East Africa Tourist Visa issued by Kenya or Rwanda.
|
Ukraine | | 90 days | |
United Arab Emirates | [127] | |
|
United Kingdom | | 6 Months (Visitors, extendable by converting into a BN(O) visa from inside the UK); Unlimited (With a valid BN(O) visa) | - BN(O) citizens who are inside or outside of the UK can choose to apply for a British National (Overseas) BN(O) visa, which allows the passport holder to live, work or study in the UK for unlimited periods of up to 5 years in each visa renewal.
- BN(O) citizens are eligible to choose to apply for settled status after 5 years of qualifying residence in the UK.
- BN(O) citizens are eligible to choose to additionally register as a British citizen after 12 months with settled status, under Section 4c of the British Nationality Act 1981. British citizenship confers right of abode in the UK.
- Obtaining British citizenship under the above route does not cause one to lose BN(O) status.
|
United States | | - BN(O) citizens who do receive a visa are normally issued with 10-years multiple-entry combination B1/B2 visas, and each entry can stay for a maximum of 6 months (the period of stay is subject to the border immigration officer)
- In response to the imposition of national security law on Hong Kong, certain BN(O) citizens who were present in the US as of 26 January 2023, and continuously meet the eligibility requirements are protected by Deferred Enforced Departure for 24 months from 26 January 2023, with full working right during this period.
|
Uruguay | | 90 days | |
Uzbekistan | [137] | 30 days | |
Vanuatu | | 30 days | |
| | | |
| | 90 days[138] | - Extensions of up to 90 days can be arranged at any SAIME (immigration service) for a fee and must apply before one’s tourist card and stamp expire.[139]
- One can only apply for or extend their (residency permit) at the main SAIME office in Caracas.
|
| [140] | | - Valid for 30 days, single entry[141]
|
Yemen | [142] | | - A single tourist visa for British Nationals (Overseas) is issued for a maximum stay of 60 days from arrival into Yemen.
|
Zambia | | 90 days | - British Nationals (Overseas) are eligible for a universal visa allowing access to Zimbabwe.[143]
|
Zimbabwe | | 3 months | - British Nationals (Overseas) are also eligible for a universal visa allowing access to Zambia.
| |
Europe |
---|
Visitor to | Visa requirement | Notes (excluding departure fees) |
---|
| [166] | |
Mount Athos | | Special permit required (4 days: 25 euro for Orthodox visitors, 35 euro for non-Orthodox visitors, 18 euro for students). There is a visitors' quota: maximum 100 Orthodox and 10 non-Orthodox per day and women are not allowed.[167] [168] |
Belovezhskaya Pushcha National Park | | 3 days;[169] must first obtain an electronic pass[170] |
Crimea | | Visa policy of Russia applies de facto.[171] |
| | 3 months[172] |
UN Buffer Zone in Cyprus | [173] | Access Permit is required for travelling inside the zone, except Civil Use Areas. |
Faroe Islands | [174] | |
Jan Mayen | [175] | Permit issued by the local police required for staying for less than 24 hours[176] and permit issued by the Norwegian police for staying for more than 24 hours.[177] |
| | 90 days |
| | Crossing from Ukraine requires visit purpose to be explained to Ukrainian passport control on exit and those who entered from Russia are not allowed to proceed further into Ukraine.[178] |
| | Several closed cities and regions in Russia require special authorization.[179] |
| | Multiple entry visa to Russia and three-day prior notification are required to enter South Ossetia.[180] [181] |
| | Registration required after 24h.[182] [183] |
Africa |
---|
Visitor to | Visa requirement | Notes (excluding departure fees) |
---|
outside Asmara | | To travel in the rest of the country, a Travel Permit for Foreigners is required (20 Eritrean nakfa).[184] |
Mayotte | | 90 days |
Reunion | | 90 days |
| | Visa not required up to 3 months.[185] |
| | 30 days for 30 US dollars, payable on arrival.[186] [187] |
Sudan | | All foreigners traveling more than 25 kilometers outside of Khartoum must obtain a travel permit. |
Darfur | | Separate travel permit is required.[188] |
Asia |
---|
Visitor to | Visa requirement | Notes (excluding departure fees) |
---|
Hong Kong | | The Hong Kong SAR government does not recognise BN(O) passports as valid documents for immigration clearance and identification purposes. BN(O) citizens are instead entitled to a Hong Kong identity card which attests the passport holder the Right of Abode or Right to Land status in Hong Kong, implying BN(O) citizens the right to live, work or study in Hong Kong without any immigration controls.[189] |
India PAP/RAP | | Protected Area Permit (PAP) required for whole states of Nagaland and Sikkim and parts of states Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal, Jammu and Kashmir, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh. Restricted Area Permit (RAP) required for all of Andaman and Nicobar Islands and parts of Sikkim. Some of these requirements are occasionally lifted for a year.[190] [191] [192] [193] [194] |
| | 15 days[195] |
Kazakhstan | | Special permission required for the town of Baikonur and surrounding areas in Kyzylorda Oblast, and the town of Gvardeyskiy near Almaty.[196] |
Kish Island | | Visitors to Kish Island do not require a visa.[197] |
Macao | | The Macau SAR government has no official announcement regarding the admissibility/ inadmissibility of BN(O) passport holders. BN(O) citizens are able to visit Macau with their Hong Kong Identity Card for up to 1 year. |
Sabah and Sarawak | | 1 month. These two Malaysian states have their own immigration authorities and a valid passport is required to travel between them, however the same Malaysian visa applies. Length of stay will not be extended for travel between Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia.[198] |
Maldives | | With the exception of the capital Malé, tourists are generally prohibited from visiting non-resort islands without the express permission of the Government of Maldives.[199] |
outside Pyongyang | | People are not allowed to leave the capital city, tourists can only leave the capital with a governmental tourist guide (no independent moving) |
| | Arrival by sea to Gaza Strip not allowed.[200] |
| | BN(O) citizens who meet certain eligible can apply online (Fee waiver) or on arrival (Fee : NT 300). This Permit for up to 30 days https://www.roc-taiwan.org/uk/post/1888.html |
Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Province | | OIVR permit required (15+5 Tajikistani Somoni) and another special permit (free of charge) is required for Lake Sarez.[201] [202] [203] |
Turkmenistan | | A special permit, issued prior to arrival by Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is required if visiting the following places: Atamurat, Cheleken, Dashoguz, Serakhs and Serhetabat.[204] |
Korean Demilitarized Zone | Restricted zone | |
UNDOF Zone and Ghajar | Restricted zone | |
| Phú Quốc | | Can visit without a visa for up to 30 days.[205] |
Yemen | | Special permission needed for travel outside Sana’a or Aden.[206] |
Caribbean and North Atlantic |
---|
Visitor to | Visa requirement | Notes (excluding departure fees) |
---|
Aruba | | 30 days, extendable to 180 days[207] |
Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba | | 90 days |
San Andrés and Leticia | | Visitors arriving at Gustavo Rojas Pinilla International Airport and Alfredo Vásquez Cobo International Airport must buy tourist cards on arrival.[208] |
| | 3 months |
French Guiana | | 90 days |
French West Indies | | 90 days. French West Indies refers to Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy. |
Greenland | | |
Margarita Island | | All visitors are fingerprinted.[209] |
Puerto Rico | | US visa required |
Saint Pierre and Miquelon | | |
| | 3 months[210] |
| | US visa required |
Oceania |
---|
Visitor to | Visa requirement | Notes (excluding departure fees) |
---|
American Samoa | [211] | US visa required |
Ashmore and Cartier Islands | | Special authorisation required.[212] |
Clipperton Island | | Special permit required.[213] |
| | 31 days |
Lau Province | | Special permission required.[214] |
French Polynesia | | 90 days |
Guam | [215] | 45 days |
New Caledonia | [216] | 90 days |
Niue | | Visa on arrival valid for 30 days is issued free of charge.[217] |
| | Visa not required under the Guam - CNMI Visa Waiver Program, for 45 days. Must also present a Hong Kong identity card. |
United States Minor Outlying Islands | | Special permits required for Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Midway Atoll, Palmyra Atoll and Wake Island.[218] [219] [220] [221] [222] [223] [224] |
Wallis and Futuna | | 90 days |
South America |
---|
Visitor to | Visa requirement | Notes (excluding departure fees) |
---|
Galápagos | | Online pre-registration is required. Transit Control Card must also be obtained at the airport prior to departure.[225] |
South Atlantic and Antarctica |
---|
Visitor to | Visa requirement | Notes (excluding departure fees) |
---|
Antarctica | | Special permits required for,, Australian Antarctic Territory, Bouvet Island, Chilean Antarctic Territory, Heard Island and McDonald Islands, Peter I Island, Queen Maud Land, Ross Dependency.[226] [227] [228] [229] [230] [231] [232] [233] [234] [235] [236] [237] | |
When in a country where there is no British embassy, British Nationals (Overseas) may get help from the embassy of any other commonwealth country present in that country. There are also informal arrangements with some other countries, including New Zealand and Australia, to help British nationals in some countries.[239]