Under current rules, BNO passport holders can visit the UK for up to six months without a visa. [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). The peak was reached in 2001, when 170,000 were issued in a single year. 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. If China implements a controversial proposed security law, … 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. 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). 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). If you are not already a British national (overseas), you cannot apply BNO passports were issued to Hong Kong residents born before the handover of the territory from the UK to China in 1997. 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. Permanent residents of Hong Kong had until 30 June 1997 to voluntarily register themselves as a British National (Overseas). The holders can then apply for citizenship after 12 more months. [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. To further differentiate British Nationals (Overseas) from British citizens regarding EU freedom of movement rights, BN(O) passports renewed after 29 March 2019 carry the additional endorsement: The Holder is not entitled to benefit from European Union provisions relating to employment or establishment. They can, however, register with a HKSAR passport if they have one. From April 1997 to the end of 2006, the British government has issued a total of 794,457 BN(O) passports. Children born before 1 July 1997 whose parents have BNO status and whose names are mentioned in their parents’ BNO passports (i.e the child is listed as an ‘Included Child’ in parents’ BNO passports, even if the child has never registered in the past.) The cover of British National (Overseas) passport was originally navy blue, as in all other types of British passport. As of May 2007, there were 800,000 holders of valid BN(O) passports. 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. [7] As of 31 December 2015, there were only about 143,200 holders of BN(O) passports.[8]. [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. The UK’s special visa for BNO passport holders. The passport was first issued in 1987 after the Hong Kong Act 1985,[2] from which this new class of British nationality was created. Besides, a person fulfills the transitional arrangement under the same Ordinance is also eligible to enjoy the right of abode. 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. [3] This came as a result of the imposition on Hong Kong, by the Chinese central government, of the controversial national security law. These BNO holders has not been British Citizens but could visit Britain for 6 months without the need of a visa. 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}. 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 Currently, BNO passport holders are permitted to visit the UK for up to 6 months without having to apply for a visa. 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. 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. 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. BN(O) passport holders who possess right of abode in Hong Kong normally use their permanent identity cards to enter Hong Kong. Therefore, BN(O)s who wish to visit Mainland China must obtain Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents in advance. The holder of this passport has Hong Kong permanent identity card number XXXXXXX(X) which states that the holder has the right of abode in Hong Kong. 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. More than 350,000 people have BNO passports, says the British government, which also estimates that there are 2.9 million who are eligible for BNO status in Hong Kong. What is BNO passport? British National (Overseas) status is a specific type of British nationality. This is clearly a brilliant news to millions of BNO passport holders in Hong Kong (or currently reside in the UK). 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. 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. [11], As of 2 October 2020, the number of valid British National (Overseas) passports in circulation was 469,416.[12]. 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. Example of how to countersign a passport photo: 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!) 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. Millions of Hong Kong residents hold British National (Overseas), or BNO, passports. 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. 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. 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. 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. Millions of Hong Kong residents hold British National (Overseas), or BNO, passports. These passports are also recognised by many other countries for visa-free travel purposes. The British National (Overseas) status itself does not automatically grant the right of abode anywhere (including the United Kingdom and Hong Kong). 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]. That may explain why there is such a sudden surge in demand among Hongkongers for a renewal of their British National (Overseas) (BNO) passport – or so it … The nationality on the machine readable zone, however, is GBN rather than GBR. BNO holders could not settle in the UK permanently. 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]. 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. For those who do not possess right of abode but right to land, they can present their BN(O) passport with non-permanent identity card for clearance. Hongkongers born before 1997, when the British colony was returned to China, are eligible to apply for BNO passport. Innovator visa Who is eligible for a BN(O) passport? BNO passports are governed by the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986, which is an Order-in-Council of the United Kingdom Government. Others born before the July 1, 1997 handover were eligible to apply before that … Aimed at British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) citizens ordinarily resident in Hong Kong and their immediate family members, holders will be allowed to move to the UK to live, work and study, and in time become eligible to register as British citizens. [10], As of 17 April 2020, the number of valid British National (Overseas) passports in circulation was 357,156. [9], As of 24 February 2020, there were 349,881 holders of BN(O) passports and the UK Home office estimates that there are around 2.9m BN(O)s in Hong Kong. What is the British National (Overseas) passport. [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. Based on existing restrictions, as current passport holders die, the number of British National (Overseas) passports in circulation will continue to decline over the next decades and eventually will fall to zero. However, if the parents are BN(O) passport holders, they will also be eligible for this route to obtain British citizenship. 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. 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. This page was last edited on 10 December 2020, at 21:10. They are not granted Right of Abode anywhere, including the United Kingdom and Hong Kong through their British National (Overseas) status. Only persons who registered before the reunification of Hong Kong with China are entitled to obtain BNO passports. 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. When resident in the United Kingdom, a BNO passport holder is also entitled to the right to vote in that country. 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. Am I eligible for a BNO passport? The British National Overseas (BNO) passport is a travel document that allows people to get consular assistance and protection from UK diplomatic posts. 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. 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