british overseas nationals

You became a British overseas citizen on 1 January 1983 if both of these applied:

• You were a citizen of the United Kingdom on 31 December 1982
• You did not become either a British citizen or a British Overseas Territories citizen on 1 January 1983

Hong Kong

If you were a British Overseas Territories citizen only because of your connection with Hong Kong, you lost that citizenship on 30 June 1997.

However, you became a British overseas citizen if either:

• You had no other nationality and would have become stateless.
• You were born on or after 1 July 1997 and would have been born stateless if one of your parents was a British national (overseas) or British overseas citizen when you were born.

 

Your Rights as a British Overseas Citizen

• You can hold a British Passport.
• You can get Consular assistance from UK diplomats.

 

Become a British Overseas Citizen

You may be able to register as a British overseas citizen if you’re stateless (not recognised by any country as having a nationality) and both of these apply:

• you were born in the UK or an overseas territory.
• one of your parents is a British overseas citizen.

You may also be able to register if you’re stateless and all of these apply:

• you were born outside the UK and qualifying territories
• one of your parents is a British overseas citizen
• you’ve lived in the UK or an overseas territory for 3 years or more

Our team of experienced immigration lawyers understand that there is just one chance to get this application right and so we encourage an early consultation with our lawyers to avoid unsatisfactory results. Our team have expert knowledge in these applications and can guide you correctly to ensure a positive result. At Kalsi Solicitors, we have no desire to provide dishonest advice – if we do not feel your application will be successful, we will tell you and help you find another route.