British & Commonwealth citizenship
Commonwealth nationality laws
British (history) Australian Barbadian Canadian (history) Indian Malaysian Maltese New Zealand Singaporean South African Irish citizens in the UK Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Commonwealth_of_Nations. ... This article concerns the History of British nationality law. ... Barbados achieved independence from the United Kingdom in 1966 as a commonwealth with HM the Queen Elizabeth II remaining the head of state. ... Canada was the second nation in the then British Commonwealth to establish its own nationality law in 1946, with the enactment of the Canadian Citizenship Act 1946. ... This article concerns British nationality law in respect of citizens of the Republic of Ireland. ...
Classes of citizens and subjects
British citizen British subject British Overseas Territories citizen British Overseas citizen British National (Overseas) British protected person Commonwealth citizen British Nationality Law ... In British nationality law, the term British subject has at different times had different meanings. ... // British Nationality Act 1981 The British Nationality Act 1981 came into force on 1 January 1983, and divided Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKCs) into three categories: British citizens CUKCs with the right of abode in the United Kingdom and Islands (i. ... In British nationality law, the status of British Overseas citizen (BOC) is one of several categories of British national. ... This article concerns matters of British nationality law in relation to Hong Kong. ... British Protected Person (BPP) is a form of British nationality under the British Nationality Act 1981. ... A Commonwealth citizen, formerly known as a British subject, is generally a person who is a national of any country within the Commonwealth of Nations. ...
Rights and visas
Right of abode Indefinite leave to remain Permanent resident (Australia) Permanent resident (Canada) Belonger status UK Ancestry Entry Clearance Right of Abode is a status under United Kingdom immigration laws that gives an unrestricted right to live in the United Kingdom. ... Indefinite Leave to Remain or ILR, is an immigration status granted to a person who does not hold right of abode in the United Kingdom, but who has been admitted to the UK without any time limit on his stay and who is free to take up employment, without restriction. ... Australian permanent residents are residents of Australia who hold permanent residency visas but are not citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia. ... A Permanent Resident in Canada is someone who is not a Canadian citizen and who has been granted permission to live and work in Canada without any time limit on his or her stay. ... A legal classification normally associated with Britains Overseas Territories. ... A UK Ancestry Entry Clearance often referred to as an Ancestry Visa is a United Kingdom Entry Clearance for Commonwealth citizens with a grandparent born in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands or Isle of Man who wish to work in the United Kingdom. ...
Acts
Ireland Act 1949 British Nationality Act 1981 Falkland Islands (1983) Overseas Territories Act 2002 Canadian Citizenship Act 1946 The Ireland Act 1949 is a UK Act of Parliament which was intended to deal with the consequences of the then recently passed Republic of Ireland Act 1948 as passed by the Irish parliament (Oireachtas). ... The British Nationality Act 1981 was an Act of Parliament passed by the British Parliament. ... The British Overseas Territories Act 2002 is an Act of Parliament passed in the United Kingdom in 2002, which superseded the British Nationality Act 1981. ... The Canadian Citizenship Act is an Act of the Government of Canada, which came into effect on July 1, 1947, recognizing the definition of a Canadian, including reference to them being British subjects. ...

British nationality law as it pertains to Hong Kong has been a unique situation ever since it was created a British colony in 1842. With its beginning as a trading port to today's cosmopolitan international financial centre, the territory has attracted refugees, immigrants to expatriate alike searching for a new life and making a new living. A United Kingdom overseas territory (formerly known as a dependent territory or earlier as a crown colony) is a territory that is under the sovereignty and formal control of the United Kingdom but is not part of the United Kingdom proper (Great Britain and Northern Ireland). ... 1842 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Immigration is the act of moving to or settling in another country or region, temporarily or permanently. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

Citizenship matters were further complicated by the fact that British nationality law had always considered those born in Hong Kong were British subjects (to use the term loosely), while the People's Republic of China -- since its creation in 1949 -- has never recognised any type of British citizenship for those of Chinese descent. First, recognising British citizenships would imply the PRC and her predecessor Qing China validating the series of Unequal Treaties that ceded Hong Kong. Secondly, the PRC nationality law adopted in 1980 does not allow dual nationality. British nationality law is the law of the United Kingdom concerning British citizenship and other categories of British nationality. ... Year 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Qing Dynasty (Manchu: daicing gurun; Chinese: 清朝; pinyin: qīng cháo; Wade-Giles: ching chao), sometimes known as the Manchu Dynasty, was founded by the Manchu clan Aisin Gioro, in what is today northeast China expanded into China proper and the surrounding territories of... Japanese name Kanji: Kana: Korean name Hangul: Hanja: Unequal Treaties, is a term used in reference to the type of treaties signed by several East Asian states, including Qing Dynasty China, late Tokugawa Japan, and late Joseon Korea, with Western powers and Imperial Japan, during the nineteenth and early twentieth... Flag of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) The Nationality Law of the Peoples Republic of China (Simplified Chinese: ; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: Zhōnghuá Rénmín Gònghéguó guójí fÇŽ) regulates citizenship in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). ... Year 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar). ...

With the sovereignty transfer to the PRC imminent in 1997, both the British and the Chinese governments had involved over a decade of negotiations trying to bring about a smooth transition in the government, the economy, and of course, determining citizenship status for almost 6 million people -- of Chinese descent and/or otherwise. For the band, see 1997 (band). ...

Early colonial era

English common law has the rationale of natural-born citizenship, that which was acquired because British-born subjects would have a "natural allegiance" to the crown as a "debt of gratitude" to the crown for protecting them through infancy. In the spirit of jus soli, natural-born subjects were born within the dominion of the crown which included self-governing dominions and colonies. As the dominion of the crown expanded, British subjects included not only persons within the United Kingdom but also those throughout the British Empire. However, the reverse reasoning would mean that no naturalisation was possible until the introduction of Naturalisation Acts of 1844, 1847 and 1870. This article concerns the common-law legal system, as contrasted with the civil law legal system; for other meanings of the term, within the field of law, see common law (disambiguation). ... Jus soli (Latin for right of the territory), or birthright citizenship, is a right by which nationality or citizenship can be recognised to any individual born in the territory of the related state. ... In British nationality law, the term British subject has at different times had different meanings. ... -1... Jan. ... 1847 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... 1870 (MDCCCLXX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ...

By this definition, anyone born in Hong Kong since 1842 was a British subject. That of course, depended where and when one was born in the territory because the British jurisdiction of Hong Kong did not expand to its current size until 1898 with the leasing of New Territories. 1842 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... Year 1898 (MDCCCXCVIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day-slower Julian calendar). ... A major road, Kwong Fuk Road in Tai Po, a town in the New Territories. ...

The Naturalisation of Aliens Act 1847 validated what had been covered in the Naturalisation Act 1844 (applied only to United Kingdom) to the rest of the dominions and colonies. The Act made provisions for naturalisation as well as allowing acquring British subject status by marriage between a foreign woman and a British subject man.

British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act 1914

British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act 1914 came into force on 1 January 1915 codified for the first time the law relating to British nationality. No major change was introduced but it set in law how people associated with Hong Kong -- as part of "His Majesty's dominions" -- would acquire British subject status. is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1915 (MCMXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday[1] of the 13-day-slower Julian calendar). ...

Japanese occupation

During World War II between 25 December 1941 and 15 August 1945, Hong Kong came under Japanese occupation. Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... is the 359th day of the year (360th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1941 (disambiguation). ... is the 227th day of the year (228th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar). ... The Japanese occupation of Hong Kong began after the Governor of Hong Kong, Sir Mark Young surrendered the territory of Hong Kong to Japan on 25 December 1941 after 18 days of fierce fighting between British and Canadian defenders against Japanese Imperial forces. ...

The occupation did not affect the British nationality of any person born there during the occupation, except for those whose father (where married to the mother) was an "enemy alien".

After the war, British Nationality Act 1948 made provision to define the nationality status for those born in occupied territories. The Act stated that British citizenship is obtained by birth except for individuals whose father was an enemy alien and that the birth occurred in a place under enemy occupation.

British Nationality Act 1948

The Commonwealth of Nations heads of government decided in 1948 to embark on a major change in the law of nationality throughout the Commonwealth. It was decided at the conference that the United Kingdom and the self-governing dominions would each adopt separate national citizenships, but retain the common imperial status of British subject. British Nationality Act 1948 provided for a new status of Citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKC), consisting of all those British subjects who had a close relationship (either through birth or descent) with the United Kingdom and its remaining colonies. The Act also provided that British subjects could be known by the alternative title Commonwealth citizen. The Commonwealth of Nations as of 2006 Headquarters Marlborough House, London, UK Official languages English Membership 53 sovereign states Leaders  -  Queen Elizabeth II  -  Secretary-General Don McKinnon (since 1 April 2000) Establishment  -  Balfour Declaration 18 November 1926   -  Statute of Westminster 11 December 1931   -  London Declaration 28 April 1949  Area  -  Total... Year 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This is a page about Dominions of the British Empire/Commonwealth. ... A Commonwealth citizen, formerly known as a British subject, is generally a person who is a national of any country within the Commonwealth of Nations. ...

The Act came into force on 1 January 1949 and stipulated that anyone born in "United Kingdom or a colony" ie: Hong Kong on or after that date was a CUKC. Those who were British Subjects on 31 December 1948 was entitled to acquire CUKC by declaration. The deadline for this was originally 31 December 1949, but was extended to 31 December 1962 by the British Nationality Act 1958. is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1948 (MCMXLVIII) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 365th day of the year (366th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

British Nationality Acts were passed in 1958, 1964 and 1965, which mainly fine tuned special provisions about CUKC acquisition. Year 1958 (MCMLVIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Also Nintendo emulator: 1964 (emulator). ... Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ...

Commonwealth Immigrants Acts

Until the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962, all Commonwealth citizens could enter and stay in the United Kingdom without any restriction. Anticipating immigration waves from former and current colonies in Africa and Asia with the decolonisation of the 1960s, the United Kingdom passed the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962 and Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1968 tightened immigration control for CUKCs into the United Kingdom and Islands (the UK, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man).

Finally in the Immigration Act 1971, the concept of patriality or right of abode was created. CUKCs and other Commonwealth citizens had the right of abode in the UK only if they, their husband (if female), their parents or their grandparents were connected to the United Kingdom and Islands. This placed the UK in the rare position of denying some of its nationals entry into their country of nationality. However, the concept of patriality was recognised as only a temporary solution to halt sudden wave of migration. The British government embarked on a major reform of the law, resulting in the British Nationality Act 1981. The right of abode refers to an individuals freedom from immigration control in a particular country. ...

These Acts shaped the already increasing restrictive immigration policies into the UK for Hong Kong residents even before the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984. The Sino-British Joint Declaration, formally known as the Joint Declaration of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Peoples Republic of China on the Question of Hong Kong, was signed by the Prime Ministers of the Peoples... This article is about the year. ...

British Nationality Act 1981

British Nationality Act 1981 was monumental in not only did it created new categories of British citizenship, but also effectively renamed British colonial territories. The Act implied that all British colonial possessions were to be known as British Dependent Territories. The British Nationality Act 1981 was an Act of Parliament passed by the British Parliament. ...

The Act abolished the status of CUKC, and replaced it with three new categories of citizenship on 1 January 1983, namely: is the 1st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ...

• British citizenship,
• British Dependent Territories citizenship (BDTC), and
• British Overseas citizenship (BOC).

The law implied that those who have CUKC in connection with Hong Kong or those born in Hong Kong in or after 1983 has BDTC. The law also stated that citizens by descent could not automatically pass on British nationality to a child born outside the United Kingdom or its Dependent Territories. Year 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday (link displays the 1983 Gregorian calendar). ...

Post Sino-British Joint Declaration

Negotiation concerning the future of Hong Kong had started in the late 1970s between Britain and the PRC as the lease on New Territories would end in about 20 years. With the signing of the Sino-British Joint Declaration on 19 December 1984, the future of Hong Kong was set, when the PRC would assume sovereignty of the entire ceded territory of Hong Kong on 1 July 1997. Image File history File links Flag_of_the_United_Kingdom. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Hong_Kong_1959. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_the_Peoples_Republic_of_China. ... The Sino-British Joint Declaration, formally known as the Joint Declaration of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Peoples Republic of China on the Question of Hong Kong, was signed by the Prime Ministers of the Peoples... is the 353rd day of the year (354th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ...

The Declaration set in motion a series of negotiations between the British and Chinese governments to ensure a smooth transition. Nevertheless, the future of Hong Kong under PRC rule had continued to create uncertainties for Hong Kong residents. It also prompted a series of British Nationality Acts passed specifically for Hong Kong starting in 1985 to control what would be significant migration from the territory to the United Kingdom and elsewhere as well as restoring confidence in people. For the Chinese civilization, see China. ... This article is about the year. ...

There were some 3.5 million residents of Hong Kong with BDTC status by virtue of their connection with Hong Kong. Another 2 million were believed to have been eligible to apply to become BDTCs. Upon handover, they would have lost this status and became solely PRC citizens. At the time, Hong Kong was the largest of the remaining British dependent territories with over 5 million inhabitants, many of whom were well-educated, financially resourceful, and with family connections all over the world. This created possibilities that allowed hundreds of thousands of people to emigrate in the 80s and 90s even with the new British nationality law restrictions. Nationality Law of the Peoples Republic of China This law is applicable to the acquisition, loss and restoration of nationality of the Peoples Republic of China. ...

It is worth noting that the PRC had and still considers that anyone of Chinese descent born in Hong Kong has always been solely a Chinese citizen.

Hong Kong Act 1985

The Hong Kong Act 1985 created an additional category of British nationality known as British National (Overseas) or BN(O). This new category was available to Hong Kong BDTCs to apply. Any Hong Kong BDTC who wished to do so was able to acquire the (non-transmissible) status of British National (Overseas). British nationality law is the law of the United Kingdom concerning British citizenship and other categories of British nationality. ...

The 1985 Act was brought into effect by the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986. Article 4(1) of the Order provided that on and after 1 July 1987, there would be a new form of British nationality, the holders of which would be known as British Nationals (Overseas). Article 4(2) of the Order provided that adults and minors who had a connection to Hong Kong were entitled to make an application to become British Nationals (Overseas) by registration. is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1987 (MCMLXXXVII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar). ...

Becoming a British National (Overseas) was therefore not an automatic nor an involuntary process and indeed many eligible people who had the requisite connection with Hong Kong never applied to become British Nationals (Overseas). Acquisition of the new status had to be voluntary and therefore a conscious act. To make it involuntary or automatic would have been contrary to the assurances given to the PRC government which led to the words "eligible to" being used in paragraph (a) of the United Kingdom Memorandum to the Sino-British Joint Declaration. Any person who failed to register as a British Nationals (Overseas) by 1 July 1997 and would thereby be rendered stateless, automatically became a British Overseas citizen under article 6(1) of the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986. The Sino-British Joint Declaration, formally known as the Joint Declaration of the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Peoples Republic of China on the Question of Hong Kong, was signed by the Prime Ministers of the Peoples... is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... In British nationality law, the status of British Overseas citizen (BOC) is one of several categories of British national. ...

No person could become a British National (Overseas) automatically by being born in Hong Kong, by descent or by any involuntary means. A person was required to make an application on the prescribed form to the British authorities, and applicants only became a British National (Overseas) when their application was approved and duly registered under the authority of the Home Secretary. The deadline for applications passed in 1997. The Secretary of State for the Home Department, commonly known as the Home Secretary, is the minister in charge of the United Kingdom Home Office and is responsible for internal affairs in England and Wales, and for immigration and citizenship for the whole United Kingdom (including Scotland and Northern Ireland). ...

British Nationals (Overseas) are Commonwealth citizens so they enjoy most civic rights in the United Kingdom. They are also eligible for a free-of-charge Residence Permit if they wish to study in the UK [1]. But BN(O)s are not full British citizens or European citizens and they do not have the right of abode in the United Kingdom. A Commonwealth citizen, formerly known as a British subject, is generally a person who is a national of any country within the Commonwealth of Nations. ... Citizenship of the Union was introduced by the Maastricht Treaty signed in 1992. ...

It should be noted that the PRC Government does not recognise British National (Overseas) or British citizen passports issued to former Hong Kong British Dependent Territories citizens that are ethnically Chinese (or possess Chinese nationality), who must obtain a Home Return Permit to enter mainland China. The British Government has already indicated that BN(O)s of ethnic Chinese origin cannot enjoy UK consular protection in Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland China [2]. However, the UK Government was asked to provide consular assistance to Ching Cheong, a Hong Kong journalist who is detained in the mainland China. Ching Cheong holds a BN(O) passport. However, both British citizen and BN(O) passport holders (even if they hold Chinese citizenship) do not qualify for the Chief Executive election of the Hong Kong SAR [3]. Ethnolinguistic map of China The Peoples Republic of China (PRC) is a multi-ethnic unitary state and, as such, officially recognizes 56 nationalities or mínzú (民族), within China: the Han being the majority (>92%), and the remaining 55 nationalities being the national minorities. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... ... The Home Return Permit (港澳同胞回鄉證, 港澳同胞回乡证, abbreviation 回鄉證, 回乡证) is a passport-like document issued to people from Hong Kong and Macao as the entry permit to mainland China. ... Ching Cheong (Chinese: 程翔) (born December 22, 1949) is a senior journalist in The Straits Times detained by the Peoples Republic of China for espionage. ... Other Hong Kong topics Culture - Economy Education - Geography - History Hong Kong Portal The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (Traditional Chinese: , Simplified Chinese: , pinyin: XiānggÇŽng Tèbié XíngzhèngqÅ« Xíngzhèng ZhÇŽngguān; Cantonese Jyutping: hoeng1 gong2 dak6 bit6 hang4 zing3 keoi1...

The Republic of China (Taiwan) only fully recognises British citizens but does not recognise British Nationals (Overseas) (who are ethnic Chinese). BN(O)s (and HKSAR passport holders) need a landing visa specific for them to enter Taiwan but British Citizens are eligible for the full visa free access programme. (See Entry Permit of HK and Macao Residents (Republic of China on Taiwan)) Taiwan also does not fully recognise the British nationality of naturalised British citizens who were born in China (the PRC). They have additional hurdles to clear under Taiwanese law before being granted residence visas for Taiwan [4] For the Chinese civilization, see China. ... The Cover of HKSAR ePassport Inside of the HKSAR ePassport Personal Data Page Under Fluorescent Light Visa Pages Back Cover with Contactless Chip The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport (Traditional Chinese: ) is the official international travel document issued to Chinese citizen who have the right of abode in the... Entry Permit for HK and Macao Residents of the Republic of China on Taiwan (Traditional Chinese: 中華民國台灣地區多次入出境證, more commonly known as 台證 or 入台證) is issued for ethnic Chinese Hong Kong and Macau residents to enter Taiwan. ...

British Nationals (Overseas) are not eligible to participate in the Visa Waiver Program of the United States. The adjusted refusal rate of US B-visas (B1, B1/B2, B2) of BN(O) passport holders in the fiscal year 2006 was 3.1% [5], which was slightly higher than 3% requirement for the programme. The refusal rate of HKSAR passport was 4.2% in that year. The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is a program of the United States of America which allows citizens of specific countries to travel to the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days without having to obtain a visa. ... The Cover of HKSAR ePassport Inside of the HKSAR ePassport Personal Data Page Under Fluorescent Light Visa Pages Back Cover with Contactless Chip The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport (Traditional Chinese: ) is the official international travel document issued to Chinese citizen who have the right of abode in the...

This passport is eligible for Electronic Travel Authority of Australia, with the restriction that BN(O)s cannot apply online. An Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is an authorisation for entry to Australia available to holders of certain states passports. ...

BN(O)s are now also eligible for full visa-free visit to the European Union. When Jack Straw was Foreign Secretary of the UK, he wrote to the European Commission and the EU arguing that British Nationals (Overseas) passport holders should be granted visa free access to the Schengen area. [6] [7] See the article British passport for a full-list of visa free access countries of a BN(O) passport. The European Union has unified visa policy as part of the Schengen acquis. ... Jack Straw was/is the name of two famous individuals: John Whitaker Straw (born August 3, 1946), commonly known as Jack Straw, is a British Labour Party politician. ... The title of Foreign Secretary has been traditionally used to refer to the British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. ... UK biometric passport, issued since 2006. ...

The British Consulate General in Hong Kong is responsible to maintain the database of BN(O) passport holders. This database can be only accessed by names. The data were collected by the colonial Immigration Department before the handover in 1997. [8] The Immigration Department (Traditional Chinese: , known as 人民入境事務處 before the 1997 handover) of the Hong Kong Government is responsible for immigration control of Hong Kong. ...

The total number of British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) passports issued between April 1997 and the end of 2006 was 794,457, including renewals of full and/or lost passports. As on May 2007, it is estimated that approximately 2.6 million BN(O)s in Hong Kong do not hold a valid passport, as the total number of BN(O)s is 3.4 million. [9]

For more information about the nationality issues of Hong Kong people, please refer to the article on Hong Kong Politics. Other Hong Kong topics Culture - Economy Education - Geography - History Hong Kong Portal Politics of Hong Kong takes place in a framework of a political system dominated by China, an own legislature, the Chief Executive as the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. ...

See also: British consular protection enjoyed by BN(O) passport holders outside the PRC and the UK For information regarding whether BN(O) passport holders can enjoy British consular protection inside the mainland China, please refer to the article Home Return Permit. ...

Chinese people in Hong Kong have adopted many western folkways, but a substantial number of them still adhere to traditional Chinese traditions on various aspects of social living; for instance family solidarity, “courtesy and face” in interpersonal relationship. ... Other Hong Kong topics Culture - Economy Education - Geography - History Hong Kong Portal Politics of Hong Kong takes place in a framework of a political system dominated by China, an own legislature, the Chief Executive as the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. ...

British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990

After the Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, many people in Hong Kong began to fear for their future post-1997. Emigration was rampant and a brain-drain was beginning to affect the economy of Hong Kong. To stem the drain, people urged the British Government to grant full British citizenship to all Hong Kong BDTCs — but this request was never accepted. However, in view of Britain's special obligation to Hong Kong as the one dependent territory whose people were unable to exercise the fundamental right of self-determination, it was considered necessary to devise a British Nationality Selection Scheme to enable some of the population to obtain British citizenship to maintain confidence in Hong Kong and to counteract the effects of the emigration of many of its most talented residents. The United Kingdom made provision to grant citizenship to 50,000 families whose presence was important to the future of Hong Kong under the British Nationality Act (Hong Kong) 1990. Under the Act, the Home Secretary was required to register any person recommended by the Governor of Hong Kong (as well as the applicant's spouse and minor children) as a British citizen. Any person who was registered under the Act automatically ceased to be a British Dependent Territories citizen (and also ceased to be a British National (Overseas), if they had that status) upon registration as a British citizen. No person could be registered under the Act after 30 June 1997. The Tiananmen Square protests of 1989, commonly referred to as the Tiananmen Square Massacre,[1] were a series of demonstrations led by students, intellectuals, and labor activists in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) between April 15 and June 4, 1989. ... Section 1(1) of the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990 gave the Home Secretary the power to register as British citizens up to 50,000 persons (heads of families) recommended to him by the Governor of Hong Kong. ... Flag of the Governor of Hong Kong, 1959–1997 The Governor of Hong Kong (Traditional Chinese: ; abbreviated 港督) was a British official who ruled Hong Kong during the colonial period between 1841 and 1997 and was ex-officio Commander-in-Chief and Vice-Admiral of Hong Kong. ... is the 181st day of the year (182nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ...

Hong Kong (War Wives and Widows) Act 1996

Women who have received assurance from the Secretary of State that they would be eligible for settlement in the United Kingdom on the basis of their husband's war service in the defence of Hong Kong may be registered as British citizens if:

• she is resident in Hong Kong; and
• she has not remarried

There is no requirement for the woman to hold (or have held) any form of British nationality.

Women registered as British citizens under this Act acquire British citizenship otherwise than by descent

• Hong Kong (War Wives and Widows) Act 1996

British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997

Another special group of solely Hong Kong British nationals were the non-Chinese ethnic minorities of Hong Kong. They are primarily people of Nepalese, Indian & Pakistani descent. After the handover to the People's Republic of China, they would not be accepted as inherently being citizens of the PRC, as they were not of Chinese descent or Chinese race. They would be left effectively stateless — they would have British nationality but no right of abode in the UK, nor in Hong Kong, but no claim to PRC nationality. Jack Straw, then the Shadow Home Secretary said in a letter to the then Home Secretary Michael Howard dated 30 January 1997 that "common sense and common humanity demand that we give these people full British citizenship. The limbo in which they will find themselves in July arises directly from the agreements which Britain made with China". He further stated that a claim that British National (Overseas) status amounts to British nationality "is pure sophistry". Kinship and descent is one of the major concepts of cultural anthropology. ... The transfer of the sovereignty of Hong Kong from the United Kingdom to China, often referred to as The Handover, occurred on July 1, 1997. ... A stateless person is someone with no citizenship or nationality. ... The right of abode refers to an individuals freedom from immigration control in a particular country. ... Nationality Law of the Peoples Republic of China This law is applicable to the acquisition, loss and restoration of nationality of the Peoples Republic of China. ... John Whitaker Straw (born August 3, 1946) is a British Labour Party politician. ... The Rt Hon. ... is the 30th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ...

The ethnic minorities petitioned to be granted full British citizenship. In response to expressions of concern in both Houses of Parliament, representations by the Hong Kong Legislative Council, the Governor of Hong Kong Chris Patten, the Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind, the House of Commons Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, two former governors of Hong Kong and a former Minister with responsibility for Hong Kong, the Prime Minister John Major discussed the issue with Home Secretary Howard during the week of 27 January to 31 January 1997. Howard appeared to be in a minority in the Cabinet in strongly resisting the grant of British citizenship to the group, and Prime Minister Major suggested that the Cabinet might need to resolve the issue. Michael Howard agreed to consider the matter over the weekend. On 4 February 1997, the Home Secretary announced in Parliament that provision would be made to grant full British citizenship (with the right of abode in the UK) to the solely British ethnic minorities of Hong Kong. It was acknowledged that their nationality status would be uncertain after 30 June 1997. The subsequently enacted British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997 gives them an entitlement to acquire full British citizenship by making an application to register for that status after 1 July 1997. Type Bicameral Houses House of Commons House of Lords Speaker of the House of Commons Michael Martin MP Lord Speaker Hélène Hayman, PC Members 1377 (646 Commons, 731 Peers) Political groups Labour Party Conservative Party Liberal Democrats Scottish National Party Plaid Cymru Democratic Unionist Party Sinn Féin... Legislative Council Building The Legislative Council of Hong Kong (立法會, abbreviated LegCo) is the legislature of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the Peoples Republic of China. ... Christopher Francis Patten, Baron Patten of Barnes, CH, PC (born 12 May 1944 in Bath, Somerset) is a prominent British Conservative politician and a Patron of the Tory Reform Group. ... Sir Malcolm Leslie Rifkind, KCMG, QC (born 21 June 1946) is a Scottish Conservative and Unionist politician and Member of Parliament for the constituency of Kensington and Chelsea. ... For other persons named John Major, see John Major (disambiguation). ... is the 27th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... A prime minister is the most senior minister of a cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. ... is the 35th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... is the 181st day of the year (182nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ...

After the Handover

Moments after midnight 1 July, 1997 at the Handover Ceremony when Hong Kong BDTCs status ceased to exist. Most people with Chinese descent have automatically become solely Chinese nationals.

Chinese nationality law has applied in Hong Kong since the handover on 1 July 1997. Hong Kong BDTC status had ceased to exist and could not be retained. The PRC nationality law was adopted for Hong Kong at the Nineteenth Session of the Standing Committee of the Eighth National People's Congress on 15 May 1996, a year prior to the Hong Kong handover and came into effect on 1 July 1997. The explanations concerning the implementation of the nationality of Hong Kong citizens is that Hong Kong citizens of Chinese descent are Chinese nationals whether or not they have acquired other foreign citizenship(s). In other words, Hong Kong residents of Chinese nationality do not lose their citizenship upon acquiring foreign one(s) in contrast to Article 9 of the law. Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Handover ceremony of Hong Kong in 1997: The Union Flag lowered and the Flag of China raised. ... Nationality Law of the Peoples Republic of China This law is applicable to the acquisition, loss and restoration of nationality of the Peoples Republic of China. ... is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... is the 135th day of the year (136th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ...

Officially, the PRC continues to recognise only Chinese citizenship for its Chinese nationals. Any type of the British and foreign citizenships owned by Chinese nationals are not recognised by the Chinese government and no foreign consular service would be enjoyed by Chinese nationals in Chinese territory. That being said, many Chinese nationals have gained entry into China holding foreign travel documents with proper entry visas without encountering any problem or having to denounce one nationality or the other.^{[citation needed]}

Dual nationality does not constitute a concern for the British government.

Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002

In light of the passing of British Overseas Territories Act 2002, which made provision to subtitute the wording of "British Dependent Territories" with "British Overseas Territories" in British Nationality Act 1981 among other new provisions, further clarification was made even though this Act did not even apply to Hong Kong. Section 14 of the subsequent Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002, stated specifically that a person may not be registered as a British Overseas Territories citizen by virtue of a connection with Hong Kong. The British Overseas Territories Act 2002 is an Act of Parliament passed in the United Kingdom in 2002, which superseded the British Nationality Act 1981. ... Location of the British Overseas Territories The British Overseas Territories are fourteen[1] territories which the United Kingdom considers to be under its sovereignty, but not as part of the United Kingdom itself. ... // British Nationality Act 1981 The British Nationality Act 1981 came into force on 1 January 1983, and divided Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKCs) into three categories: British citizens CUKCs with the right of abode in the United Kingdom and Islands (i. ...

Non-Chinese ethnic minorities

In February 2006, British authorities announced that six hundred British citizenship applications of ethnic minority children of Indian descent from Hong Kong were wrongly refused. The applications dated from the period July 1997 onwards. Where the applicant in such cases confirms that he or she still wishes to receive British citizenship the decision will be reconsidered on request. No additional fee will be payable by the applicant in such cases. A template to request reconsideration can be downloaded from www.britishcitizen.info.

Recent changes to India's Citizenship Act 1955 (see Indian nationality law) provide that Indian citizenship by descent can no longer be acquired automatically at the time of birth. This amendment will also allow some children of Indian origin born in Hong Kong after 3 December 2004 who have a British National (Overseas) or British Overseas citizen parent to automatically acquire British Overseas citizenship at birth (see www.britishcitizen.info) under the provisions for reducing statelessness in article 6(2) or 6(3) of the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986. If they have acquired no other nationality after birth, they will be entitled to register for full British citizenship with right of abode in the UK. Indian citizenship/nationality law: The Constitution of India provides for a single citizenship for the entire country. ... is the 337th day of the year (338th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Recent clarification of Nepal citizenship law has meant a number of persons born in Hong Kong who failed to renounce their British nationality before the age of 21 and were previously thought to be citizens of Nepal are in fact solely British. The British Government has recently accepted that certain Nepalese passport holders born in Hong Kong before 30 June 1976 are British Overseas citizens, and can register for full British citizenship (with right of abode in the UK) if they wish to do so. To obtian British citizenship they must apply to register for British citizensip using Form EM, or Form B(OS) depending on the circumstances of their case. The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal regulates provisions for Nepali citizenship in Articles 8, 9 and 10. ...

Travel documents used in Hong Kong:

• Hong Kong SAR passport
• British Dependent Territories citizen Passport
• Hong Kong Certificate of Identity
• Document of Identity
• Hong Kong Re-entry Permit
• Home Return Permit

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport is the official traveldocument for Chinese permanent residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. ... See the articles British nationality law and British nationality law and Hong Kong. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... This article needs copyediting (checking for proper English spelling, grammar, usage, etc. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

See also

• British nationality law
• British passport
• History of British nationality law
• HKSAR passport
• Chinese nationality law
• Indian nationality law
• Nepal citizenship law
• Commonwealth citizen
• Entry Permit of HK and Macao Residents (Republic of China on Taiwan)
• Right of abode issue, Hong Kong

British nationality law is the law of the United Kingdom concerning British citizenship and other categories of British nationality. ... UK biometric passport, issued since 2006. ... This article concerns the History of British nationality law. ... The Cover of HKSAR ePassport Inside of the HKSAR ePassport Personal Data Page Under Fluorescent Light Visa Pages Back Cover with Contactless Chip The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport (Traditional Chinese: ) is the official international travel document issued to Chinese citizen who have the right of abode in the... Nationality Law of the Peoples Republic of China This law is applicable to the acquisition, loss and restoration of nationality of the Peoples Republic of China. ... Indian citizenship/nationality law: The Constitution of India provides for a single citizenship for the entire country. ... The Constitution of the Kingdom of Nepal regulates provisions for Nepali citizenship in Articles 8, 9 and 10. ... A Commonwealth citizen, formerly known as a British subject, is generally a person who is a national of any country within the Commonwealth of Nations. ... Entry Permit for HK and Macao Residents of the Republic of China on Taiwan (Traditional Chinese: 中華民國台灣地區多次入出境證, more commonly known as 台證 or 入台證) is issued for ethnic Chinese Hong Kong and Macau residents to enter Taiwan. ... The interior page of a BDTC passport that has been stamped by the former British immigration authorities to indicate that the bearer has the right of abode in Hong Kong. ...

External links

• British government statement confirming which persons born in Hong Kong before 1949 acquired British nationality
• British government statement confirming which persons born in Hong Kong between 1949 and 1982 acquired British nationality
• British government statement confirming which persons born in Hong Kong between 1983 and 1997 acquired British nationality
• Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986
• Provisions for reducing statelessness in Article 6 of the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986
• British citizenship information for persons from Hong Kong of Indian origin
• British citizenship information for persons from Hong Kong of Nepalese origin
• Home Office letter to Lord Avebury, confirming that more than 600 applications for British citizenship from Hong Kong were wrongly refused
• British Nationality Acts: 1981, 1965, 1964, 1958, 1948, 1772, 1730
• The Transition of Hong Kong People's Nationality after World War II by Michiko Ai
• SUPPORTING BRITISH NATIONALS ABROAD: A GUIDE TO CONSULAR ASSISTANCE
• Nationality of the Chief Executive of the SAR, Democratic Alliance for the Betterment of Hong Kong
• 數字話當年 450萬人持特區護照, Apple Daily
• BNO逐漸走進香港歷史, Wen Wei Po

The Democratic Alliance for the Betterment and Progress of Hong Kong (DAB) (民主建港協進聯盟, formerly 民主建港聯盟, or 民建聯 in short) is the largest pro-Beijing political party in Hong Kong SAR of the PRC. Founded in 10 July 1992, the party has been headed by Ma Lik since December 2003. ... This article is about the Hong Kong version of the tabloid newspaper. ... Yang Liwei and Shenzhou 5 on the cover of Wen Wei Po Wen Wei Po (文匯報) is a Hong Kong-based Chinese language newspaper, which was first established in Shanghai, Mainland China in January 1938; its Hong Kong version was launched on September 9, 1948. ...

Other References

Book in Chinese: 張勇、陳玉田：《香港居民的國籍問題》（出版社：三聯書店（香港））