The Home Secretary has discretion to allow absences during the residential qualifying period, but not to waive entirely the residence requirement. Each case is considered on its merits.
The Home Secretary also has discretion under Section 4(5) of the
British Nationality Act 1981 to grant citizenship to Crown Servants in Dependent Territories. Again the individual circumstances of the
applicant will be considered.
What cannot be done without changing primary legislation
Changes to legislation would be required:
to grant British citizenship to all Hong Kong BDTCS/BN (0)s (about 3 1/4 million).
to waive entirely the residential requirements specified under the British Nationality Act necessary for people to be granted citizenship.
to establish a "quota system" (such as those operated by Canada and Australia) to recruit immigrants in particular professions or with particular qualifications.