BN(O) Visa Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain)
Secure your permanent status before the April 2026 “Earned Settlement” changes
Is your BN(O) settlement at risk?
The Home Office consultation on the new “Earned Settlement” model closes on 12 February 2026.
After that, the current BN(O) settlement rules could change from April 2026, introducing tougher English-language standards and possible limits on access to public funds.
If you arrived in the UK on the BN(O) route in 2021, this is your opportunity to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the existing, simpler rules.
Our immigration solicitors can help you secure settlement for you and your family before the new system begins.
Call 020 8166 1898 for a free eligibility review.
Book your FREE consultation today!
Secure your permanent status before the April 2026 “Earned Settlement” changes
Is your BN(O) settlement at risk?
The Home Office consultation on the new “Earned Settlement” model closes on 12 February 2026.
After that, the current BN(O) settlement rules could change from April 2026, introducing tougher English-language standards and possible limits on access to public funds.
If you arrived in the UK on the BN(O) route in 2021, this is your opportunity to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) under the existing, simpler rules.
Our immigration solicitors can help you secure settlement for you and your family before the new system begins.
Call 020 8166 1898 for a free eligibility review.
How We Can Help
Applying for BN(O) settlement involves more than completing a form. Our solicitors:
- Confirm your eligibility date and review travel or residence gaps.
- Check all evidence using our 50-point internal checklist to ensure your documentation meets Home Office expectations.
- Prepare and submit your online ILR application accurately and on time.
- Link family applications using the official Family Linking Code to avoid processing delays.
- Liaise with UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) until a decision is made.
We manage the entire process so your case is complete, compliant, and ready for submission before the April 2026 deadline.
1. Complex travel histories – You must not spend more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period. We check your travel record and help correct inconsistencies.
2. Missing the English-test window – The Government has confirmed B2 English for other visa routes from 8 January 2026 and is expected to extend it to BN(O) settlement from April 2026. With test centres often booked months ahead, early preparation is essential.
3. Gaps in five-year evidence – ILR depends on strong proof of continuous residence. We help you build a consistent evidence record covering housing, employment, and taxes.
Eligibility and Requirements
You can apply for ILR under the BN(O) route if you have:
- Lived in the UK continuously for five years under BN(O) status.
- Spent no more than 180 days outside the UK in any rolling 12-month period.
- Passed both the Life in the UK Test and an approved English test (currently B1).
- Maintained lawful residence and have no serious criminal convictions.
Financial requirement – If you’ve lived in the UK for over a year, you usually don’t need to show savings. The focus is on residence, not funds.
Adult children and dependants – Adult children born on or after 1 July 1997 can apply independently. Their five-year qualifying period runs from when they first joined the route.
Adult dependent relatives (ADR) – You must show a high level of dependency and that suitable care is unavailable or unaffordable in Hong Kong. These cases require detailed legal advice.
TB testing – Not required if you’ve lived in the UK for more than six months.
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Step 1 – Arrival (Years 1–5)
We guide you through the five-year BN(O) journey, ensuring each visa extension and residence record stays compliant.
Step 2 – Preparation (Months 54–59)
We confirm eligibility, review absences, and prepare evidence using our 50-point internal checklist.
Step 3 – Application (Year 5)
We complete and submit your ILR application through the Home Office digital system, linking all family members correctly.
Step 4 – Settlement and Citizenship
Once ILR is granted, we plan your route to British citizenship and advise on next steps.
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Step 1 – Eligibility review
We confirm your qualifying date, analyse travel records, and identify any potential gaps.
Step 2 – Evidence preparation
Using our 50-point checklist, we verify that all documents meet current Home Office standards.
Step 3 – Application and follow-up
We complete and submit your ILR application, ensure any family applications are linked, and track progress until a decision is issued.
Most applicants use the UK Immigration: ID Check app without paying a biometric fee. Where the app cannot be used, a small enrolment charge at a visa centre applies.
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Even a single error in a five-year travel record can result in a refusal.
Under the current rules, that not only means paying another Home Office fee but potentially missing the Simpler Settlement window before the new 2026 model begins.
Our role is to remove that risk entirely. Every case is double-checked by senior solicitors before submission.
After Settlement
Once ILR is granted, you can:
- Live and work in the UK without time limits.
- Access the NHS and other public services.
- Access public funds. Under current rules, the No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) condition ends at settlement.
The proposed Earned Settlement model may restrict this in future, so applying now preserves full rights. - Apply for British citizenship after holding ILR for 12 months (or immediately if married to a British citizen).
The Life in the UK Test passed for ILR also counts for citizenship.
Fees, Timescales and Our Team
Legal Fees and Charging Basis
We’ll confirm the fee structure, applicable VAT, and full written quotation before any work begins.
Home Office fees and third-party charges apply, including the ILR application fee and the costs of English-language and Life in the UK tests.
We’ll guide you using the latest Home Office fee schedule at the time of your application.
Timescales
Most clients are ready to apply within a few weeks once evidence is complete.
The Home Office usually issues decisions within several months, though times vary.
Who Will Handle Your Case
BN(O) settlement work is carried out by our Immigration Department Team.
All BN(O) ILR cases are overseen by Mr Zia Aslam Khan, Director of Immigration Solicitors UK.
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What We Offer
Our Services
we understand that immigrating to a new country is a significant
decision that comes with its own set of challenges.
Family Visas
Partner Visas
Settlement in the UK
Settlement of EEA Nationals
British Citizenship and The Right of Abode
Challenge a Refusal
Removals/Deportations
Asylum/Human Rights
Sponsor License for a UK Business
UK Business Visas
Student Visas
Popular Work Visas
Other work visas and permits
Visas without a job offer
Work for an overseas employer
Temporary work visas
UK Visit Visas
If you are reaching five years in the UK under the BN(O) route, act now. The Earned Settlement rules are expected to take effect in April 2026.
Our immigration solicitors will confirm your eligibility, prepare your evidence and guide you through the process using the most up to date Home Office guidance and fees.
Call 020 8166 1898 or send us an enquiry online to book your free initial eligibility assessment.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I apply for ILR?
You can apply up to 28 days before completing five years of continuous residence in the UK.
Can I apply with my family?
Yes. We link your applications through the Family Linking Code so they are processed together.
What if I travelled frequently?
We’ll assess your travel history and advise whether you still meet the continuous-residence requirement.
Do I need to show savings?
Not if you’ve lived in the UK for more than 12 months.
What happens if my ILR lapses?
If you’re outside the UK for over two years, you may need a Returning Resident visa to restore your status.
