DSR 11C (Revised 5/87)
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56. Neither the BDTC passport nor the BN (O) passport
confers upon the holder the right of abode in the United
Kingdom (although he is entitled to enter this country
without a visa for visits of up to three months). Hong
Kong people first became subject to UK immigration
control under the Commonwealth Immigrants Act 1962. The
Immigration Act of 1971, which defined "right of abode"
for the first time, in essence granted that right to
those British nationals with direct links to the UK.
Most Hong Kong British nationals did not qualify for the
right of abode in the UK. The British Nationality Act
1981, which created the status of BDTC, did not affect
the existing position concerning immigration control and
the right of abode. The fact that Hong Kong people are
subject to UK immigration control and do not have right
of abode here is thus not new.
57. Despite the importance which Hong Kong people
attach to a clear recognition by the Government of the
United Kingdom's responsibility for and special
connection with Hong Kong, most Hong Kong people accept
the reality of the situation. There have nevertheless
been some calls for Hong Kong passport holders to be
given right of abode in the United Kingdom, and
comparisons have been made with treatment by Portugal of
its nationals in Macao. It has been argued that such a
move would serve as a sanction against any violation of
the Joint Declaration after 1997; and that it would
promote stability in Hong Kong because people would not