British permanent residence BN(O) visa: 5+1 to get ILR, is the 5-year path still there under the New Deal?

On January 31, 2021, the United Kingdom opened an exclusive immigration channel for Hong Kong BN(O) (British National Overseas) status holders. Five years have passed, and the first batch of families who landed in early 2021 have just arrived at the door to apply for British permanent residence (ILR).

But just when everyone was about to submit their applications, the new policy of "earned settlement" (earned permanent residence) suddenly disrupted the situation - the basic period of permanent residence was increased from 5 years to 10 years. What BN(O) holders are most worried about is: Will the 5 years I have been waiting for turn into 10 years overnight? Let’s make this matter completely clear today.

What is the "5+1" permanent residence path for BN(O) visa?

The so-called "5+1" is the core design of the BN(O) path:

Continuous legal residence in the UK for 5 years → Apply for ILR (Permanent Residence) → Live for 1 years → Apply for naturalization to become a British citizen.

Since this road opened in 2021, more than 180,000 BN(O) visas have been issued. The earliest batch of people coming in early 2021 will theoretically reach the 5-year permanent residence node starting in 2026 - which is why BN(O) permanent residence has become a hot topic this year.

New Deal for Earned Settlement: Can BN(O)’s 5-year permanent residence be kept?

Let me tell you the conclusion first, to reassure you who are waiting: BN(O)’s five-year permanent residence path has been saved.

In November 2025, the British government launched an "earned settlement" consultation, proposing to increase the permanent residence threshold for most visa categories from 5 years to 10 years. Tensions were high among the BN(O) group. After parliamentary debate, a petition signed by more than 100,000 people, and continued pressure from Hong Kong Watch and other organizations, the government finally confirmed that BN(O) holders will receive "5-year exemption" under the new framework, which means 5 years will be directly deducted from the 10-year baseline - the actual effect is still to obtain permanent residence in 5 years.

There is a detail that needs to be made clear here: BN(O) is not "completely exempted" from the new system, but is "included" in the earned settlement framework and given an equal amount of relief. The consultation ended on February 12, , , 2026. Relevant immigration rule revisions (Statement of Changes) will be announced one after another from March 2026 and implemented in phases starting in April. In other words, the result is good, but the specific provisions are still in flux. Before submitting , be sure to check the latest version of GOV.UK .

Apply for permanent residence in the UK ILR, don’t get stuck with these hard requirements

Just because the path is saved, it doesn't mean you can take it lying down. To convert BN(O) to ILR, the following levels must be included:

① Continuous residence and 180 days red line. During the five-year qualification period, in any rolling 12-month period, you must not be outside the UK for more than 180 days . Note that it is "rolling 12 months", not cut into pieces by visa year - many people fall into the trap of thinking that they have not exceeded the limit, but in fact, the cumulative number exceeds the limit every year. Families who return to Hong Kong to visit relatives or go on business trips frequently need to make arrangements step by step. A few special circumstances (such as detention caused by major humanitarian crises, natural disasters, epidemics, etc.) can be exempted, but the threshold is very high, so don’t expect it.

② Life in the UK Test. tests British history, culture, and political system. The test fee is about £50. Applicants aged 18 to 64 are basically required to pass.

③ English B1 level. requires listening and speaking skills that meet CEFR B1, which can be satisfied by a recognized English test score, or a degree taught/researched in English.

④ There is no violation of visa conditions. There is no minimum income threshold for the BN(O) route, but there must be no record of violations during the period of residence.

Tips: You don’t have to wait until the day you reach 5 years of residence. You can submit the ILR application as early as , 28 days before when you have lived for 5 years. It is recommended to take the Life in the UK and B1 exams a few months in advance. Don’t get stuck in a hurry before submitting the form.

Money should also be prepared in advance. According to GOV.UK’s announcement, starting from , April 8, 2026, the ILR application fee will be approximately £3,226/person. A family of several people can add up to a large sum.

If you want to speed up the visa process, you can choose the expedited channel: Priority costs about +£500 (about 5 working days), Super Priority costs about +£1,000 (results will be available the next working day). For standard parts that are not urgent, results are usually available within 6 months. The specific amount is based on GOV.UK on the day of submission, and the fees are adjusted every year.

Not sure when I will reach 5 years or 180 days? You can use 永居计算器 APP to accurately calculate the number of entry and exit days to avoid stepping on the line based on your feelings. If you are not sure how the new policy provisions apply to your situation, you can also add our licensed lawyers on WeChat to ask.

write at the end

Five years is neither a long time nor a short time. From being hastily packed under the National Security Law to now standing at the door of permanent residence in the UK, this journey is not easy. Only those who have gone through it will understand. The good news is - the path has been saved and the rules are clear. All that remains is to fulfill every condition steadily.

This article is for reference only. BN(O) and earned settlement rules are still being updated. For specific questions, please refer to the latest announcement of GOV.UK and consult a licensed attorney.

💬 When is the full month of your BN(O) five years? 180 days out of the country Have you calculated it clearly? Have you ever had a thrilling moment when you crossed the line? Chat about your progress and confusion in the comment area and let fellow travelers remind each other.

If you find it useful, please forward it to your Hong Kong friend who is also applying for permanent residence in the UK - don’t let people wait in vain for a year at this critical point.

[Data source] GOV.UK Hong Kong BN(O) path guidance and earned settlement consultation documents: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/earned-settlement; https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hong-kong-british-national-overseas-visa