11 December 1986
Your Embassy was advised of these changes in a note verbale dated 11 October 1982. In that note it was stated that "Where provisions using the existing titles of categories of United Kingdom nationals occur in, or in association with, international agreements to which the United Kingdom or Her Majesty's Government are a party, Her Majesty's Government intend with effect from 1 January 1983 to interpret those provisions in the light of the relevant provisions of the new Act [the British Nationality Act 1981] ... Her Majesty's Government will proceed on the assumption that other parties to such agreements or arrangements will follow the same practice". appears, however, that the Portuguese Government has overlooked this understanding in connection with the Anglo/Portuguese Visa Abolition Agreement and that your visa regulations have not been amended to take account of our new categories of citizenship.
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A note verbale was addressed to the Portuguese Embassy on 30 September 1986 explaining that as a consequence of the agreement with the People's Republic of China concerning the future of Hong Kong, a new category of British nationality, British National (Overseas) (BN (O)) is to be introduced from 1 July 1987. form of British nationality can be acquired by persons who are BDTCs through a connection with Hong Kong but who will cease to be BDTCS from 1 July 1997 when Hong Kong reverts to Chinese sovereignty. The note of 30 September expressed the hope that governments would allow BN (0)s the same facilities for access and travel which are currently enjoyed by holders of British passports showing their national status as BDTC. Your Government has also been made aware of these arrangements through the British Embassy in Lisbon.
You said you would need to seek the advice of your Government concerning visas for Hong Kong British passport holders. I should therefore be grateful if you would explain the position as I have outlined it above. I fully understand how confusing British nationality can be so please let me know if you need any additional explanations.
A R Kaye