Hong Kong BNO Visa - Eligibility? Born before 97, but too young to apply for BNO status

[vickysun]

Hi, I'm would like to apply for a UK Visa using the new BNO visa route.

I was born before the handover in 1997, but I was only 7 years old at the time. My parents did not apply for BNO status for themselves nor me. (My parents did apply for passports when they traveled --- but back in the 70s, pre-BNO system. Either way, they are not coming with me to the UK.)

From what I understand, BNO status is only given those who applied before 1997? I was eligible, but was not old enough to have made the choice to apply. Does that mean I'm not eligible under this BNO visa scheme?

Thanks very much. I appreciate your time and answers. The situation in HK is very tense and I would like to leave ASAP.

[secret.simon]

It is not enough to have been eligible to have applied for the BNO status.

You need to have applied for and acquired BNO status before 1987 to be eligible for the BNO visas. See Section HK4.1 of Appendix HKBN(O) of the UK Immigration Rules.

HK 4.1. The applicant must be a British National (Overseas) under the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986.

If another member of your family with whom you live has BNO status and is migrating, under certain circumstances, you may be able to migrate as a Household member.