[CaliGirl2005]

Hi all!

I hold a BNO passport and was wondering if I will need a work permit to work in the UK? I am flying to London for a job interview next week. I have no clue if I actually need a sponser for work permit or whether I'm unrestricted by UK immigration/border control. Does BNO has the right of abode in the UK?

Also, would UK employers hire BNO passport holders if they are well-qualified for the job?

I would greatly appreciate it if anyone can help me with this.

Thanks a million!

[KnowItAll]

This website will guide you and let you know if you need a visa.

UK Visas

[PDLM]

But essentially the answer is that you do not, in general, have the right of abode or the right to work in the UK through holding BN(O) status. (That is the essential difference between BN(O) and full British Citizen.)

[cprosper]

I believe that with a BNO passport, you have the right of abode in the UK. However, you would still require a sponsor to gain employment status.

[discobay]

BNO only gives you right to land and not right of abode hence all the fuss when these passports were issued to Hong Kong residents by the UK government prior to 1997.

[PDLM]

And the "right to land" that discobay refers to is not the same as Right to Land status in HK - there is a limit to the length of time a BN(O) can stay in the UK on each visit. (I can't remember off the top of my head what it is)

[discobay]

Yes, I think it is six months.

[CaliGirl2005]

Thanks for replying!

The fact that I'm holding a BNO passport, do the UK employers see this as a liability? I'm well-qualified for the job but am concerned that they would deny me on the basis of my work status. I guess it makes sense that they would want to avoid all the unnecessary bureaucractic hassle of having to sponser someone...

Has anyone here has worked in the UK?

Thanks again!

[lybenben]

I think if you are well qualified for the job, your work status should not be an issue. (I know a number of people who have been hired by large law firms in the UK- even though they do not have UK citizenship, or ROA in UK)!

Back to your original question:
1) BNO- only gives you the right to gain a BNO passport (and British consular protection outside China/UK)
2) You also get a 6 month visa-free stay in the UK, but only as a visitor- this means you're not allowed to work in the UK
3) If you wish to study/work, you'll need a visa/entrance clearance.
I think the British Government provides some special treatment to BNOs that foreign nationals (including Chinese citizens holding HKSAR passports) do not enjoy-
e.g. when you study in the UK, you can gain a visa after arriving in the UK free of charge (IF YOU HOLD BNO PASSSPORT)