British National (Overseas) in the context of "Right of abode"

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⭐ Core Definition: British National (Overseas)

British National (Overseas), abbreviated as BN(O), is a class of British nationality associated with the former colony of Hong Kong. The status was acquired through voluntary registration by individuals with a connection to the territory who had been British Dependent Territories citizens (BDTCs) before the handover to China in 1997. Registration for BN(O) status was limited to the 10-year period preceding the transfer as a transitional arrangement for former BDTCs; current residents cannot newly acquire this nationality.

BN(O)s are British nationals and Commonwealth citizens, but not British citizens. They are subject to immigration controls when entering the United Kingdom and do not have automatic right of abode there or in Hong Kong, but all BN(O)s would have had permanent resident status in Hong Kong when they acquired this nationality. Following the Chinese government's imposition of controversial national security law on Hong Kong in 2020, the UK has allowed BN(O)s and their dependent family members to apply for a renewable 5-year residence visa since 31 January 2021.

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British National (Overseas) in the context of British nationality law

The primary legislation governing nationality in the United Kingdom is the British Nationality Act 1981, which came into force on 1 January 1983. Its provisions apply to the British Islands (comprising the United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland), and the Crown dependencies, of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man) and the 14 British Overseas Territories.

The six classes of British nationality provide differing levels of civil and political rights, reflecting the United Kingdom's historical legacy as a colonial power. The primary form is British citizenship, which is linked to the British Islands and confers full rights. Those connected with a current overseas territory are classified as British Overseas Territories citizens (BOTCs), and since 2002, nearly all BOTCs, except those associated solely with Akrotiri and Dhekelia, have also held British citizenship. Other residual forms of British nationality generally linked to former colonies and now largely closed to new acquisition include the statuses of British Overseas citizen, British subject, British National (Overseas) and British protected person. These categories do not confer automatic right of abode in the United Kingdom and offer limited entitlements.

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LINKED FROM (PARENTS)
← British nationality law ← British citizenship ← British national
LINKS TO (CHILDREN)
British nationality law → British Hong Kong → British Overseas Territories citizen → Handover of Hong Kong → British national → Commonwealth citizen → United Kingdom → Right of abode → Hong Kong → Right of abode in Hong Kong → 2020 Hong Kong national security law →