ILR As A BNO Dependant
Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) allows BNO visa holders and their dependants to settle permanently in the United Kingdom. It grants the right to live, work, and study in the UK without time limits and offers a pathway to British citizenship. Eligibility is based on strict requirements under the UK Immigration Rules, including continuous residence and suitability criteria. Sunrise Solicitors has a strong track record of successfully handling BNO-related ILR applications. Our experienced immigration solicitors provide clear legal advice, ensure full compliance with Home Office requirements, and support clients through every stage of the process.
Specialist Dependant Visa Solicitors
Our specialist team of dependant visa solicitors can provide fast, friendly, reliable and fixed fee legal services for ILR as BNO dependant. As specialist work visa solicitors, we have wealth of knowledge and extensive experience of dealing with all types of dependant visa applications. Ask a question to our work visa solicitors for free immigration advice or schedule an appointment for detailed immigration advice concerning your ILR application as BNO dependant.
Eligibility Requirements For ILR As BNO Dependant
The applicant should satisfy the following requirements to be eligible for ILR as a BNO dependant:
- The applicamt must submit a valid application for ILR as a BNO dependant;
- The applicant must meet the relationship requirement as required in Appendix BN(O);
- The applicant must have spent a continuous period of 5 years with permission on a route in these rules under which a person can settle, of which the most recent grant of permission must have been on the Hong Kong BN(O) route;
- The applicant must meet the continuous residence requirement as specified in Appendix Continuous Residence;
- Unless an exemption applies, the applicant must show English language ability on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages in speaking and listening to at least level B1. The applicant must show they meet the English Language requirement as specified in Appendix English Language;
- If the applicant is aged 18 or over, and under 65 on the date of application, they must meet the Knowledge of Life in the UK requirement as specified in Appendix KOL UK;
- The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part 9: grounds for refusal;
- The applicant must not be:
- in breach of immigration laws, except that where paragraph 39E applies, that period of overstaying will be disregarded; or
- on immigration bail.
Relationship Requirement For Dependent Child
Where the applicant is under 18 on the date of application the following requirements must be met.
- The applicant must have last been granted permission as a dependent child on the Hong Kong BN(O) route;
- The applicant’s parent must:
- at the same time, be being granted settlement on the Hong Kong BN(O) route; or
- be settled or a British citizen.
- The applicant’s other parent (who is not the parent in HK 57.3.) must be being granted settlement at the same time, or be settled or a British citizen, unless:
- the parent in HK 57.3. is the applicant’s sole surviving parent; or
- the parent in HK 57.3. has sole responsibility for the applicant’s upbringing; or
- the decision maker is satisfied that there are serious and compelling reasons to grant the applicant settlement.
Care Requirement For BN(O) Dependent Child
If the applicant is under the age of 18 on the date of application there must be suitable arrangements for the child’s care and accommodation in the UK, which must comply with relevant UK legislation and regulations.
Absence from the UK ILR as BNO Dependent
To be eligible for ILR as a BN(O) status holder, you must satisfy the continuous residence requirement. This means you must not have spent more than 180 days outside the UK during any rolling 12-month period within the 5-year qualifying period. As part of your ILR application, you must provide a detailed list of all absences from the UK, including the reasons for each absence.
You can count the time from entry clearance grant to UK entry towards continuous residence. This period counts as absence and is included in the 180-day limit within any 12-month period.
Who Can Apply
Partners
A partner of a BNO status holder may apply for ILR if they were previously granted leave as a dependant under the BNO visa route. The partner may submit an application at the same time as the main applicant or independently, provided the qualifying conditions have been met.
Children Aged 18 or Over
An individual aged 18 or above who was granted permission as a dependant under the BNO route may apply for ILR. It is not necessary to apply at the same time as the main applicant. There is no requirement to re-establish the family relationship if it was already recognised under the initial BNO visa grant.
Children Under 18
A child under the age of 18 who was granted permission as a dependant under the BNO route may apply for ILR. In most circumstances, both parents must be applying for ILR at the same time or already have settled status or British citizenship.
A child may still be eligible to apply if one parent is deceased, holds sole parental responsibility, or if there are compelling and exceptional circumstances that warrant separate consideration. In all cases, appropriate care and accommodation arrangements must be in place, in accordance with relevant UK standards.
Adult Dependent Relatives
Adult dependent relatives who were previously granted permission as dependants under the BNO route may apply for ILR. Each application must be submitted separately and can be linked to the main applicant’s settlement application. These individuals must be the parent, grandparent, sibling, son or daughter of someone who is either applying for settlement, already settled, or holds British citizenship.
Application Fee and Processing Time
- Application Fee: The fee for an ILR application under the BNO route is £3,029 per applicant. This fee does not include legal representation or other associated costs.
- Biometric Enrolment: All applicants are required to attend an appointment to provide biometric information. There is no additional charge for this service.
- Processing Time: A decision is typically issued within six months of submission. During this period, applicants must not travel outside the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man. Leaving the country before a decision is made will result in the withdrawal of the application.
- Faster Processing: The option for expedited service may be available for an additional fee, subject to Home Office availability
How Can We Help?
Our specialist team of dependant visa solicitors can provide fast, friendly, reliable and fixed fee legal services for your application for ILR as a BNO dependant. We will carry out all the work on your application until you get a decision from the Home Office UKVI on your ILR application as a BNO dependant. Our immigration solicitors’ work on your ILR application as a BNO dependant may include the following:
- assessing your eligibility for ILR as a BNO dependant by considering all the relevant eligibility requirements;
- advising on relevant documents to be submitted in support of your ILR application as a BNO dependant;
- completing online application form for ILR as a BNO dependant;
- submitting your completed ILR application online, paying the Home Office UKVI fees and booking your appointment with the UKVCAS Application Centre for you to enrol your biometrics;
- preparing a detailed cover letter in support of your ILR application to explain in detail how all the relevant requirements for ILR as a BNO dependant have been satisfied by you;
- uploading all the supporting documents online in support of your ILR application as a BNO dependant;
- doing all the follow up work including responding to any queries raised by the Home Office UKVI until decision is reached on your ILR application as a BNO dependant.
Our Fixed Fees For Dependant Visas
Unless your matter is very complicated, our fixed fees for various applications for dependant visa are as given in the fee table below:
| Our Service | Fixed Fee Range |
| Entry clearance for Dependant visa | From £800 To £1,200 (VAT not applicable) |
| Switching into Dependant visa from inside the UK | From £800 + VAT To £1,200 + VAT |
| Extension / Renewal of Dependant Visa | From £800 + VAT To £1,200 + VAT |
| ILR as a Dependant | From £800 + VAT To £1,200 + VAT |
| Administrative Review of Dependant Visa Entry Clearance Refusal Refusal | From £600 + VAT To £1,000 + VAT |
| Administrative Review Of Refusal Of In-Country Application For Dependant Visa | From £600 + VAT To £1,000 + VAT |
| Additional fee for each dependant applying along with the main applicant | From £300 + VAT To £500 + VAT |
| Naturalisation as a British Citizen after the grant of ILR | From £700 + VAT To £1,200 + VAT |
The agreed fixed fee will depend on the complexity of the application and the volume of casework involved in the application. In addition to our fixed fee for legal services in relation to your application, the applicant will also have to pay the Home office UKVI fees for the application.