Entry clearance is not mandatory for BN(O) passport holders going to the UK for a visit of up to 6 months or for a short study course of less than 6 months, but:

• You must satisfy an immigration officer on arrival that you meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules. If you are not able to do this, the immigration officer may refuse your application and require you to leave the UK immediately.
• If the immigration officer does grant you leave to enter it will be for a maximum of six months.

BN(O) passport holders are also one of the few passport holders who may apply for the PBS Tier 5 Youth Mobility Scheme. Read more

As a BN(O) passport holder, you are not required to pay a fee for PBS Tier 4 visa applications, if you apply in Hong Kong. If you apply somewhere else you will be asked to pay the usual fee.

We recommend that, unless you are going to the UK for a visit of less than 6 months or to take a short course (less than 6 months), you apply for entry clearance in Hong Kong before you travel. The advantages to you are:

• if you are applying for a PBS Tier 4 visa, there will be no fee to pay,
• you will know before you travel whether you meet the requirements of the Immigration Rules,
• we will normally give you a visa for the duration of your studies and you will not need to make another application unless you change or extend your studies.

For further information regarding PBS Tier 4 applications.

For further information regarding short course, link to Visit - Student guidance and go to the section entitled Special Visitors: Student Visitors'.