British Nationals (Overseas) Hong Kong residents

Information for families and individuals who have been granted leave on the British National (Overseas) BN(O) visa on immigration to Northern Ireland following the announcement of national security legislation in Hong Kong.

BN(O) visa

The UK government has created a new visa to allow BN(O) status holders, normally resident in Hong Kong and the UK, and their immediate family members, to live, work and study in the UK.

Those who qualify for BN(O) status will be able to apply for settlement after five years if they meet the needs. British citizenship can be applied for after one year.

There are some circumstances when you will be asked to prove your BN(O) status - for example when registering with a doctor, opening a bank account or applying for a driving licence.

Find out more information about the Hong Kong BN(O) visa:

British Nationals Hong Kong residents (Overseas) Visa

For queries about your visa, contact UK Visa and Immigration contact centre:

phone: 0300 790 6268

Living in Northern Ireland

Access to services in Northern Ireland such as healthcare, education and the legal system is different from other parts of the UK. This section has information on how to access these services.

Access to healthcare in Northern Ireland

General Practitioner Services

Your local doctor (GP)

Dental Services

Health Trusts

Northern Ireland has five health and social care trusts across its regions. These trusts are responsible for running Northern Ireland’s major healthcare facilities, including accident and emergency services.

Health and Social Care trusts

Housing

This section has information and advice on renting or buying your own house. It also has information on rates.

Education in Northern Ireland

Children between the ages of four and 16 must be in full-time education in Northern Ireland.

This section has information and advice about finding pre-school places, primary school and post primary school places and for those who want to enter further or higher education.

Training and careers advice

Training is about giving you the tools and the confidence to find work. This section has information on accessing training programmes and careers advice.

English for speakers of other languages

Improving your English can help you get more out of your life in Northern Ireland. Find out how to improve your English:

Working in Northern Ireland

Finding a job can take time. To be successful you should make the most of your skills. This section has information on where to look for and applying for jobs.

National Insurance numbers

If you live in and have the right to work in the UK and plan to work and pay National Insurance contributions as an employee or running your own business. Find out about National Insurance:

National Insurance numbers

Self-employment in Northern Ireland

You may take the decision to work for yourself. This section has information on planning and starting your own business.

Starting your own business and becoming self-employed

Paying tax in Northern Ireland

HM Revenue and Customs is responsible for collecting, paying and enforcing taxes. Find information on the tax system:

Tax information

Driving in Northern Ireland

The Driver and Vehicle Agency is responsible for licensing and testing vehicles and drivers in Northern Ireland. This section has information on how to get a UK driving licence.

Claiming benefits in Northern Ireland

This section has information on claiming benefits. BN(O) visa holders are not eligible for benefits which are classified as public funds, although they are eligible for benefits linked to National Insurance contribution. If you are entitled to any of these benefits you will need to claim them from the right place.

How to claim benefit

Justice system in Northern Ireland

This section has information on the justice system, the various agencies involved, including the Police Service of Northern Ireland, and how to find a solicitor in your area.

Public transport in Northern Ireland

Find out about the public transport system in Northern Ireland. Public transport is run by Translink.

Public transport may also cross the border from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland. BN(O) visa holders who plan to travel across the border do not need to apply for a visa, however, they must travel with valid passport. Anyone who wishes to study, work or live in the Republic of Ireland will need to apply for the relevant visa.

Local councils in Northern Ireland

Find out about local councils and their range of services:

Northern Ireland Assembly

The Northern Ireland Assembly has full legislative and executive authority for all matters that are the responsibility of the Northern Ireland Government Departments.

Get involved in your community

If you are interested in getting more involved in your community you can find information at the following links:

Things to do in Northern Ireland

There are many places to visit and things to do in Northern Ireland. You can plan trips and activities at this link:

Discover Northern Ireland

Useful links

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What to do next

Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk

If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit. Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Employment and Support Allowance

Call 0800 587 1377

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

Personal Independence Payment

Call 0800 587 0932

If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to bluebadges@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or you can also call 0300 200 7818.

For queries or advice about careers, contact the Careers Service.

For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service.

For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit.

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) section, then for queries about:

Restrictions or regulations — contact the Department of Health
Travel advice (including self-isolation) — contact the Department of Health
Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations — contact the Department of Health or Public Health Agency

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net.

For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk

Application and payment queries can be emailed to ema_ni@slc.co.uk

For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency.

For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk

For queries about your GRONI account, email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk.

For queries about the High Street Spend Local Scheme, email HSSS.mail@economy-ni.gov.uk.

For queries about:

Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

For queries or advice about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), including parking tickets and bus lane PCNs, email dcu@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about pensions, contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads.

For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service.

For queries or advice about rates, email LPSCustomerTeam@lpsni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about 60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contact Smartpass - Translink.

If you have a question about a government service or policy, you should contact the relevant government organisation directly. We don't have access to information about you.

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