Gurkha or Hong Kong military unit veteran discharged before 1 July 1997

This route is for Gurkhas or Hong Kong military unit veterans who were discharged before 1 July 1997 to settle in the UK.

Gurkhas or Hong Kong military unit veterans discharged on or after 1 July 1997 must refer to Appendix Armed Forces.

under the pre-1997 Gurkha scheme (Gurkhas discharged before 1 July 1997 and their family members concession published on GOV.UK from 2008 to 2023)

AF (GHK) 4.1. The applicant must be one of the following: (a) a national or citizen of Nepal who served in the Brigade of Gurkhas of the British Army and was discharged before 1 July 1997; or (b) a national or citizen of China, enlisted in Hong Kong (Hong Kong Chinese locally enlisted personnel) who served in the Hong Kong Military Service Corps (HKMSC) of the British Army and was discharged before 1 July 1997; or (c) a national or citizen of China, enlisted in Hong Kong (Hong Kong Chinese locally enlisted personnel) who served in the Hong Kong Squadron of the Royal Navy and was discharged before 1 July 1997. AF (GHK) 4.2.

The partner, children and dependent adult children of a Gurkha or Hong Kong military unit veteran discharged before 1 July 1997 can also apply to settle on this route. The partner or child of a deceased Gurkha or Hong Kong military unit veteran discharged before 1 July 1997 can also apply to settle on this route. Gurkhas

AF (GHK) 4.2. The applicant’s established military service must have been for a continuous period of at least 4 years, unless one or more of the following applies: (a) the applicant is in receipt of a Ministry of Defence (MoD) disability pension; or (b) the applicant has a medal awarded by the MoD for gallantry.

AF (GHK) 9.1. The applicant must be the partner or child of a person where the person: (a) has entry clearance or settlement as a Gurkha or Hong Kong military unit veteran under the pre-1997 Gurkha scheme (Gurkhas discharged before 1 July 1997 and their family members concession published on GOV.UK from 2008 to 2023), or Appendix Gurkha and Hong Kong military unit veteran discharged before 1 July 1997; or (b) is, at the same time, applying for (and is granted) entry clearance or settlement as a Gurkha or Hong Kong military unit veteran under Appendix Gurkha and Hong Kong military unit veteran discharged before 1 July 1997; or (c) is a deceased Gurkha or Hong Kong military unit veteran.

AF (GHK) 1.1. A person applying from outside the UK must apply online for entry clearance on the gov.uk website on the specified form VAF AF, or in person at the Visa Application Centre in Kathmandu. AF (GHK) 1.2. A person applying in the UK must apply online on the gov.uk website on the specified form SET(AF). AF (GHK) 1.3. An application must meet all the following requirements: (a) any fee must have been paid; and (b) the applicant must have provided biometrics when required; and (c) the applicant must have provided a passport or other document which satisfactorily establishes their identity and nationality.

AF (GHK) 2.1. The applicant must not fall for refusal under Part Suitability.

AF (GHK) 3.1. A person seeking to come to the UK must apply for and obtain entry clearance as a Gurkha or Hong Kong military veteran before they arrive in the UK. AF (GHK) 3.2. A person applying must, if Appendix Tuberculosis applies, provide a valid medical certificate confirming that they have undergone screening for active pulmonary tuberculosis and that this tuberculosis is not present in them.

AF (GHK) 6.1. Where the applicant is outside the UK, they will be granted entry clearance for settlement. AF (GHK) 6.2. Where the applicant is in the UK, they will be granted settlement.

The partner, children and dependent adult children of a Gurkha or Hong Kong military unit veteran discharged before 1 July 1997 can also apply to settle on this route. The partner or child of a deceased Gurkha or Hong Kong military unit veteran discharged before 1 July 1997 can also apply to settle on this route. Gurkhas

AF (GHK) 13.2. If the applicant is aged 18 or over on the date of application, they must meet all of the following requirements: (a) they must have been aged under 18 on the date the Gurkha or Hong Kong military unit veteran parent was discharged; and (b) they must be living in the same household as the Gurkha or Hong Kong military unit veteran parent; and (c) they must not have been living in a different household from the Gurkha or Hong Kong military unit veteran parent for more than 2 years continuously before the date of application; and (d) they must never have lived in a different household from the Gurkha or Hong Kong military unit veteran parent for more than 2 years continuously, unless this was by reason of education or something similar (such that the family unit was maintained during the period when the applicant did not live in the same household); and (e) have not formed an independent family unit.

AF (GHK) 5.2. If the application is refused the person can apply for an Administrative Review