Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what estimate she has made of the number of British National (Overseas) visa applications that (a) have been put on hold and (b) are on hold because there is an adult dependant relative linked to the application as at 22 September 2021.

The Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) route is for those with BN(O) status and their eligible family members including adult children who were born after 1 July 1997 and who live with their parents. Applications made to this route are considered on their own individual facts and are progressed to conclusion as swiftly as possible.

The Home Office publishes data on visas and the BN(O) route in the ‘Immigration Statistics Quarterly Release’ on GOV.UK:

www.gov.uk/government/collections/immigration-statistics-quarterly-release

Where a BN(O) Visas application is supported by sufficient evidence to demonstrate they and, where applicable, any family members who are applying with the BN(O) status holder, are eligible for a BNO Visa, under the terms of Appendix HK to the Immigration Rules, the application will be concluded.

However, if insufficient evidence or information to support their application is provided and further information is required, UK Visas & Immigration will contact the applicant(s), providing an opportunity to supply further evidence or information for assessment, before a decision is taken on their application.