Welcome Programme: Hong Kong British National (Overseas) visa holders in the UK
Source: gov.uk (2025-12-04)

A guide for adults and dependants who have been granted leave on the British National (Overseas) visa to access public services and make the most of the opportunities in the UK.

Welcome Programme for BN(O) visa holders: update

The Welcome Programme was launched in April 2021 by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to support people arriving in the UK on the BN(O) visa.

The government remains steadfast in its support for members of the Hong Kong community in the UK and is fully committed to the BN(O) route, which will continue to welcome Hong Kongers. Their contributions enrich our communities, and we will continue to ensure they feel safe, supported and valued in the UK.

The programme has successfully helped thousands of BN(O) visa holders settle into life in the UK. As the community becomes more established and arrival numbers decline, the programme is evolving to meet this changing need.

BN(O) visa holders will continue to be able to access support through mainstream public services.

Eligibility for English language provision

Since 1 August 2025, the Department for Education (DfE) has expanded access to English learning through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF) by simplifying residency requirements.

This enables eligible BN(O)s in England to benefit from mainstream provision, if they are ordinarily resident in the UK, and they meet other criteria linked to their employment and income. Individuals living in devolved areas should contact their local authority for guidance on eligibility.

About the Adult Skills Fund

The Adult Skills Fund is a government initiative designed to support education and training for individuals aged 19 and over.

Accessing English language courses through the Adult Skills Fund

BN(O) visa holders and their family members aged 19 and above can access further education and training, including English language courses, funded by the Adult Skills Fund, provided they meet the published criteria (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-skills-fund-funding-rules).

Learners who meet the requirements and either fall below the income threshold or are unemployed will receive full funding. To qualify under the income threshold, learners must be employed or self-employed, studying up to and including Level 2 or Level 3 courses, and earning less than £25,750 gross annually.

Learners who have already used their full Level 2 entitlement and do not meet the income or unemployment criteria will be eligible for co-funding (where cost of a learning is shared between the government and the learner).

Although an individual may be eligible for ASF funding, this is not a guarantee of provision. English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), especially, is heavily oversubscribed and therefore individuals may need to be added to a waiting list.

Residency criteria for BN(O)s

UK nationals and individuals with the right of abode are considered to have eligible residency status if they are legally resident in the UK.

See further details on the Adult skills fund: funding rules (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/adult-skills-fund-funding-rules).

English language and employment support programme

Specialist Training and Employment Programme (STEP)

Understanding English language will help you when adapting to life in the UK.

The UK government is funding the STEP programme which is a completely free, 12 or 24 weeks virtual English language and employment support programme for Ukrainians and Hong Kong British National (overseas) - HK BN(O) - in England.

Thousands of Ukrainians and HK BN(O)s have already benefited from previous programmes such as STEP Ukraine and the Hong Kong Welcome Programme, achieving improved job prospects and English language skills whilst here in the UK.

Support will be adapted to individual needs, with flexibility around childcare, caring responsibilities, and work schedules. The aim is to improve English proficiency, build confidence, and support access to more stable or better-suited employment.

Who is eligible for STEP
- Ukrainians from all backgrounds and HK BN(O)s who are over the age of 18
- living in England under the 4 humanitarian Ukraine schemes, including the Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme launched in February 2025, as well as those on the HK BN(O) route
What does STEP involve

The programme offers 2 levels of provision:
- Intensive: English classes 5 days per week for 10 weeks, plus up to 12 hours of one-to-one employability support over 12 weeks
- Less intensive: English classes 3 days per week for 24 weeks, also including up to 12 hours of tailored employability support
All classes are held online, and teacher led. They are streamed so you will be with classmates at a similar level.

STEP is delivered by World Jewish Relief and the British Council.

How to join STEP

For more information or to apply contact the provider, World Jewish Relief, via its website: Specialist training and employment programme (https://www.worldjewishrelief.org/specialist-training-and-employment-programme/).

There, you can access and complete the online application form. Once submitted, you will receive an email confirmation of receipt.

The programme will run from September 2025 to August 2026, with final registrations for the STEP programme closing in January 2026.

If you have any questions about your application or eligibility, please contact World Jewish Relief directly using the details below:

World Jewish Relief54 Crewys RoadLondonNW2 2AD

Email: xxx@xxx.xx (mailto:xxx@xxx.xx)

Telephone: xx-xxxx-xxxx

Online Welcome Pack

The online Welcome Pack was designed to help BN(O)s settle into life in the UK. It includes advice on how to access the public services that are available to you. The pack has been updated with the latest information and will remain accessible on GOV.UK.

(https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69304e090cf0b7e681ff41a5/Hong_Kong_BNO_Welcome_Pack.pdf)

Welcome Pack for arrivals from Hong Kong on the British Nationals (Overseas) visa (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/69304e090cf0b7e681ff41a5/Hong_Kong_BNO_Welcome_Pack.pdf)

PDF, 545 KB, 49 pages

The pack provides information and resources to help you to settle into the UK. It explains how to access public services, such as how to:
- apply for a National Insurance number
- register with a GP
- find a school for your children
- set up a bank account
- start a business
- buy or rent a home
- access careers advice and support
In some places the Welcome Pack covers specific services in England only. You can find further information on services in Scotland (https://www.gov.scot/publications/scotland-welcome-pack-british-nationals-overseas-hong-kong/documents/), Wales (https://www.wsmp.wales/hong-kong-welcome-hub), and Northern Ireland (https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/british-nationals-overseas-hong-kong-residents).

Hate crime reporting

On Your Side: The hate crime reporting service for East and Southeast Asian communities will continue to provide support to those experiencing or witnessing racism or any other form of hate. Those needing help should be referred to the On Your Side website (https://www.onyoursideuk.org/) to find out more.

You can use On Your Side to find support and make a report if you experience or witness racism or any other form of hate. This includes any hostility against an aspect (or assumed aspect) of a person’s identity such as their race, gender, religion, disability, sexuality, or political beliefs. Racism could include:
- verbal harassment in person or online
- criminal damage such as graffiti
- physical violence
You can find out more on the On Your Side website (https://www.onyoursideuk.org/).

Strategic Migration Partnerships

Strategic Migration Partnerships (SMPs) are collaborative bodies that coordinate and support government and community efforts to manage migration, refugees, and asylum seekers. They bring together local and central government, civil society, and other stakeholders to provide leadership, coordinate service delivery, share information, and inform policy. These partnerships often have a regional focus and help ensure a more cohesive, place-based approach to migration issues.

Funding availability for SMPs for future financial years is subject to the Departmental Business Planning process and has not yet been confirmed. We will share any updates with relevant partners as soon as further information becomes available.

Destitution support

Dedicated destitution funding for BN(O)s will end on 31 March 2026, due to the low level of demand for this support.

BN(O)s who do find themselves in financial difficulties can still apply to the Home Office on a ‘Change of Conditions’ application for the removal of the ‘No Recourse to Public Funds’ (NRPF) condition.

If approved, this allows them to access certain welfare benefits. Further details on how to remove the NRPF status can be found at: Apply to change your permission to allow access to public funds (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/application-for-change-of-conditions-of-leave-to-allow-access-to-public-funds-if-your-circumstances-change).

In addition, local authorities may still have a legal duty to help in some situations especially if someone is homeless or at risk of homelessness. HK BN(O) visa holders in need should contact their local authority.