The text United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is present below the coat of arms of the United Kingdom; the wording British Passport is printed above the coat of arms. BNO passports are governed by the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986, which is an Order-in-Council of the United Kingdom Government. People who chose to remain as BDTCs, however, would only be able to renew their BDTC passports for a restricted validity until 30 June 1997, while those who registered as BN(O)s would receive BN(O) passports valid for a full ten years. [19], From 31 January 2021, BN(O) holders will be able to apply for the right to work and study in the UK for a period of up to five years with limited leave to remain (known as the BN(O) visa). Some 2.6 million out of the 3.4 million British Nationals (Overseas) did not renew their passports upon expiry. For longer stays or other purposes of visit, holders of BN(O) passports needed to apply for the appropriate visas at the UK diplomatic missions overseas. The British National (Overseas) passports have been criticised[citation needed] for being too expensive, as compared to the HKSAR Passport, which has so far gained visa-free access from a similar number of countries as has the BN(O). Immediate dependants can include a spouse who doesn’t hold a BNO passport or children under the age of 18. Millions of Hong Kong residents hold British National (Overseas), or BNO, passports. It is estimated that 2.9 million people hold BNO status, and are eligible to apply for a BNO passport. During and after the 2014 Hong Kong Protests, many BN(O) holders began to renew their passports with 22,022 renewals in 2014, this was up from 7,654 in 2011. It was agreed by Britain and China in an annex to the Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984 (which led to the return of Hong Kong to Chinese sovereignty) that such people would be entitled to continue to use British travel documents for their lifetime. Currently there is an estimated 2.9 million people who are eligible to apply for BN(O) Passports and around 300,000 Hong Kong people currently hold one. This is clearly a brilliant news to millions of BNO passport holders in Hong Kong (or currently reside in the UK). British passports issued to British citizens after 29 March 2019 no longer carry the words "European Union" on the cover, making them identical to BN(O) passports in appearance. The order created a new nationality status – British Nationality (Overseas) or BNO. Only British overseas territories citizens from Hong Kong who registered as British nationals (overseas) before 1 July 1997 will be able to apply for their first or re-new their existing British National (Overseas) passports. Each biometric BN(O) passport contains a contactless chip, which stores digital data and includes the holder's personal data, on the Endorsement page.[6]. Must sign, date and certify 1 of the 2 Passport sized photographs provided (Only 1 photo is to be used the other is to be left blank!) Fill in and sign section [10] of the Passport application form, taking care to include valid contact details, address and valid Passport information. In December 2013, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom announced backsourcing of overseas passport processing to their HM Passport Services in Liverpool. Holders of BN(O) passports are permanent residents of Hong Kong who were British Dependent Territories citizensuntil 30 June 1997 and had registered as BN(O)s. From 31 January 2021, BN(O) passport holders can … To be eligible for ‘Leave Outside the Rules’ they must usually live in Hong Kong. The British National (Overseas) passport, commonly referred to as the BN(O) passport, is a British passport for persons with British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) status. There are an estimated 2.9 million Hongkongers eligible for BNOs and as many as 2.3 million of their dependents, according to a U.K. government People born after that date would only be eligible for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) passports, although BN (O) passport holders could continue to … People born after July 1, 1997, are not eligible to apply even if their parents are BNO passport holders. Like Hong Kong SAR passport holders, BN(O)s must obtain ″Exit & Entry Permit″ which can be obtained either online at no cost or for a fee on arrival, to enter Taiwan. BN(O) passport holders who possess right of abode in Hong Kong normally use their permanent identity cards to enter Hong Kong. Holders of BN(O) passports are ineligible to register for the Registered Traveller service for clearing immigration. There are currently around 300,000 BNO passport holders in Hong Kong and a further 2.5 to 2.7 million people are eligible to apply for one. British Nationals (Overseas) enjoy visa-free access for up to six months as a visitor entering the United Kingdom, however starting from 31 January 2021 holders will be eligible to apply for a five-year visa to work/study in the UK leading to a future pathway to citizenship, following the aftermath of the People's Republic of China's controversial passage of the May 2020 National Security Law. Figures estimate there to be around 350,000 BNO passport holders and approximately a further 2.5 million Hong Kong citizens that would be eligible to apply for a BNO passport. Currently, BNO passport holders are permitted to visit the UK for up to 6 months without having to apply for a visa. Registration for the BN(O) passports was not regarded as a popular, practical option during the early years (e.g. These are issued by the United Kingdom Government to Hong Kong residents who had British nationality by virtue of a connection with Hong Kong before reunification with China in 1997. Besides, a person fulfills the transitional arrangement under the same Ordinance is also eligible to enjoy the right of abode. You are eligible for a BN(O) Passport if you are a Chinese citizen of Hong Kong who was born before Hong Kong’s handover in 1997. Holders of these passports are permitted to visit the United Kingdom without having to obtain a visa beforehand, but they are not entitled to right of abode . The passport was first issued in 1987 after the Hong Kong Act 1985, from which this new class of British nationality was created. It provides a new route for them to migrant to the UK. Earlier, residents of Hong Kong were Citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies and their relevant passports bore the texts 'British Passport' at the top and 'Hong Kong' at the bottom of the cover. These words were featured in the latter until April 2019, when the words were removed, causing their front covers to become identical in appearance to those of BN(O) passports, British Overseas Citizen, British Protected Person and British Subject passports: the text United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland above the coat of arms of the United Kingdom; the word Passport printed below the coat of arms, and the "electronic travel document symbol" () at the bottom. Currant arrangements suggest that only people who have a BNO passport can proceed to apply under the new scheme. [3] This came as a result of the imposition on Hong Kong, by the Chinese central government, of the controversial national security law. If you are not already a British national (overseas), you cannot apply As British National (Overseas) cannot be passed through jus sanguinis to children of current BN(O)s, any children born on or after 1 July 1997 to parents with British National (Overseas) status only acquired either Chinese nationality or British Overseas Citizen status on birth (although it is possible for a BOC with no other nationalities to be registered as a British citizen). Am I eligible for a BNO passport? Go through the following to understand where it is that you exactly stand on the British nationality scale and whether or not you qualify for a British passport. The UK’s special visa for BNO passport holders. These passports are also recognised by many other countries for visa-free travel purposes. What is the British National (Overseas) passport. After the passage of the Hong Kong national security law, the UK government made it possible for BN(O) holders to move to the UK permanently through a series of steps. The British National (Overseas) status itself does not automatically grant the right of abode anywhere (including the United Kingdom and Hong Kong). The British National (Overseas) passport, commonly referred to as the BN(O) passport, is a British passport for persons with British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) status. However, if the parents are BN(O) passport holders, they will also be eligible for this route to obtain British citizenship. Permanent residents of Hong Kong had until 30 June 1997 to voluntarily register themselves as a British National (Overseas). The British National Overseas (BNO) passport is a travel document that allows people to get consular assistance and protection from UK diplomatic posts. Between 1990 and March 2020, all BN(O) passports sported a burgundy red cover identical to that of the British Citizen passports, albeit without the words "European Union" text at the top part of the cover. The holders can then apply for citizenship after 12 more months. After the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong to the People's Republic of China on 1 July 1997, the British National (Overseas) passport became the most popular travel document among the people of Hong Kong. Holders of the British National (Overseas) passport are allowed visa-free access for 6 months upon entering Macau. When resident in the United Kingdom, a BNO passport holder is also entitled to the right to vote in that country. This page was last edited on 10 December 2020, at 21:10. As a result, the fee for renewing BN(O) passports was reduced by 35% as of April 2014. After five years they could apply for "settled status" and then register as a British citizen after another year.[20]. Under United Kingdom law, holders of these passports are considered to be British, and are entitled to consular protection if they get into difficulties in any place outside of China. In addition, the Government of Hong Kong does not allow BN(O)s to renounce their Chinese citizenship pursuant to the nationality law of the People's Republic of China. They are not granted Right of Abode anywhere, including the United Kingdom and Hong Kong through their British National (Overseas) status. If the holder of BN(O) passport presents his or her Hong Kong Identity Card to enter Macao, the visa-free access period is lengthened to one year (12 months)[citation needed]. Under Hong Kong and Chinese law, these passports are considered to be travel documents only, and do not confer any rights of citizenship on their holders. If you need to check whether an individual is a British national (overseas) you can contact the BNO team in Her Majesty’s Passport Office.” Therefore, if 3.4 million persons were initially registered as BN(O)s, 3.4 million would have been issued BN(O) passports. I have never held a BNO passport nor an HKSAR passport since my birth and I would like to apply for BNO because I prefer a Commonwealth citizenship to a communist citizenship. As of January 2021, the UK will allow individuals living in Hong Kong with rights to a BNO passport and their immediate dependants to apply for a special UK visa. However, all BN(O)s possess the right of abode or right to land in Hong Kong by virtue of their previous British Dependent Territories Citizen status with connection to British Hong Kong. The holder's page is identical to the identification page of British Citizen passports with the nationality being indicated as British National (Overseas). Under current rules, BNO passport holders can visit the UK for up to six months without a visa. Dependants of BNO passport holders who were born after 1 July 1997 are not eligible to apply for a BN(O) passport since they are born after the UK’s handover of Hong Kong to China. The peak was reached in 2001, when 170,000 were issued in a single year. [5] The request page, made in the name of the 'Secretary of State' (currently the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs), is also identical to that of a British Citizen passport. BN(O) passports are currently issued in their latest biometric versions (as of 2020) and they bear the "electronic travel document symbol" () on the navy blue coloured cover. As of May 2007, there were 800,000 holders of valid BN(O) passports. [11], As of 2 October 2020, the number of valid British National (Overseas) passports in circulation was 469,416.[12]. With the introduction of biometric passports, the BN(O) passport has recovered credibility among the international community. British National (Overseas) status is not recognized by the Government of China, so BN(O) passports are not recognized by Mainland China ports of entry controlled by Ministry of Public Security. Most immigration officers at major British and European ports of entry have been briefed on the six different classes of British nationality, so that they do not confuse a person using his or her BN(O) passport to cross the borders with other types of British nationals. [10], As of 17 April 2020, the number of valid British National (Overseas) passports in circulation was 357,156. In this case, the following statement is printed in their BN(O) passport:.mw-parser-output .templatequote{overflow:hidden;margin:1em 0;padding:0 40px}.mw-parser-output .templatequote .templatequotecite{line-height:1.5em;text-align:left;padding-left:1.6em;margin-top:0}. Holders of BN(O) passports are permanent residents of Hong Kong who were British Dependent Territories citizens until 30 June 1997 and had registered as BN(O)s. From 31 January 2021, BN(O) passport holders can apply for limited leave to remain allowing them to work or study in the UK for 5 years, and then apply for settled status after that. The BNO passports were created in 1985 for Hong Kong citizens born prior to Hong Kong’s handover in 1997. Before July 2020, holders of BN(O) passports could only visit UK for no more than six months (or three months when arriving from the Republic of Ireland). Therefore, BN(O)s who wish to visit Mainland China must obtain Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents in advance. When machine-readable passports were introduced on 1 June 1990, the cover colour was changed to burgundy. They can, however, register with a HKSAR passport if they have one. The British National (Overseas) citizenship status, commonly known as BNO's, is one of the major classes of British Nationality under British Nationality Law.Holders of this nationality are Commonwealth Citizens, but not British Citizens. from 1 July 1987 to 21 December 1989, only 15% of newly issued passports were of the BN(O) type; the majority still held the British Dependent Territories Citizen passports). British Nationals (Overseas) are British nationals but not British citizens, and have not had the right of abode in the UK. Those eligible are advised to apply for a passport ahead of time if they think they will want to apply to the BNO route in the future. “Today, about 350,000 of the territory’s people hold British National (Overseas) passports and another 2.5 million would be eligible to apply for them. Any British Dependent Territory Citizens with connections to Hong Kong who had failed to register themselves as British Nationals (Overseas) by the end of 30 June 1997 would also be ineligible to make further claims for BN(O) from 1 July 1997, and those people would either become Chinese nationals or British Overseas Citizens. [16], Upon crossing the Hong Kong-Mainland China border, those illegal immigrants were easily detected by Hong Kong immigration officers, since the Mandarin-speaking immigrants invariably failed to understand or respond to officers communicating in Cantonese, the first language among Hong Kong's native population.[17]. On the other hand, someone who was not born in the country can be eligible for a British passport over time, provided they meet the requirements set by the Government. I was born in Hong Kong in 1990, when the city was still under British rule. 350,000 holders of BNO passports as of February, according to the U.K. Home Office. [13][14] The following statement is printed in each British National (Overseas) passport: In accordance with UK immigration rules the holder of this passport does not require an entry certificate or visa to visit the UK. BNO status was not granted automatically; eligible individuals had to register before the end of the transfer of the territory to Chinese sovereignty in 1997. This makes the number of visa-free countries of the BN(O) passport comparatively smaller. BNO passports were issued to Hong Kong residents born before the handover of the territory from the UK to China in 1997. Since the start of registration for the British National (Overseas) nationality on 1 July 1987, permanent residents of Hong Kong who were British Dependent Territories Citizens could either remain as BDTCs or register for the new type of nationality. [citation needed]. It was created by the Hong Kong Act 1985 for British Dependent Territories citizens of Hong Kong. Holders can live, study and work in the UK for 5 years, after which they can apply for permanent residence and register as a British citizen after a further year's residence. Others born before the July 1, 1997 handover were eligible to apply before that … [21], British passport for persons with British National (Overseas) status, first issued in 1987 after the Hong Kong Act 1985, from which this new class of British nationality was created, jing1 gwok3 gwok3 man4 (hoi2 ngoi6) wu6 ziu3, After the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong, identification page of British Citizen passports, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies, six different classes of British nationality, Visa requirements for British Nationals (Overseas), nationality law of the People's Republic of China, Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, "BN(O)持有人留英「5+1」年即可取得英國公民身份", "Hong Kong: Dominic Raab offers citizenship rights to 2.9 million British nationals", Number of valid British passports by type, "More Hongkongers renewing British overseas passports amid political unease", "Media factsheet: Hong Kong BN(O)s - Home Office in the media", "British National (Overseas): Passports:Written question - 52461", "FOICR 60516 Jonathan Lam final response.pdf", "UK will increase visa rights if China pursues Hong Kong security law", "Hongkongers with BN(O) passports to be eligible for British citizenship", Passport fees for British nationals overseas reduced by 35%, "UK to extend residence rights for British Nationals (Overseas) citizens in Hong Kong", "HKSAR passport holders can join fast track UK border scheme – but BN(O) holders still ineligible", GBN – British National (Overseas)passport Details information, British Passport : British Hong Kong (1990 — 1997), Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport, Hong Kong Document of Identity for Visa Purposes, British Dependent Territories Citizen passport, British passport (Turks and Caicos Islands), British passport (British Virgin Islands), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=British_National_(Overseas)_passport&oldid=993483126, Hong Kong and the Commonwealth of Nations, Articles containing Chinese-language text, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2014, Articles with unsourced statements from February 2016, Articles with unsourced statements from April 2017, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. 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