BNO Welcome Programme Ends 31 March - What Replaces It
26 Mar 2026
If you are a BNO visa holder who has used — or planned to use — the UK government's dedicated Hong Kong Welcome Programme, you have five days left. The programme closes on 31 March 2026.
The Welcome Programme has provided bespoke English language training and employability courses specifically for BN(O) visa holders since the scheme launched in 2021. A dedicated destitution fund has also been available for BN(O) holders facing financial hardship. All of this funded provision ends on 31 March 2026.
What takes its place: BNO visa holders and their adult dependants who are ordinarily resident in the UK became eligible for mainstream Adult Skills Fund (ASF) provision from 1 August 2025. This covers English language courses (ESOL) and broader employability and vocational training — the same provision available to settled residents. You access this through your local college or adult education provider rather than through any Hong Kong-specific channel. If you have not yet looked into ASF courses in your area, now is the time.
Financial hardship after 31 March: The dedicated destitution fund is closing due to low demand, but you are not left without options. If you are in financial difficulty, you can apply to the Home Office to remove the No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF) condition from your visa — this requires showing that your circumstances have changed and that you are destitute or at risk of destitution. Your local authority also retains legal duties to assist in certain situations, particularly around homelessness. If you are currently receiving destitution support through the Welcome Programme, contact your support provider now to plan the transition.
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