As specified in the Second Schedule to the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986, applications for BN(O) passports must be submitted on or before the final dates relevant to their age groups.
Eligible applicants born between 1972 and 1976 must submit their applications on or before October 31.
Further publicity will be made in respect of BDTCs born in other years so that they may submit their applications by phases according to their age groups. They are of course free to submit their applications now.
Persons who do not comply with the relevant cut-off dates will not be able to travel on British passports beyond 1997. An application made after the final date will only be accepted if the applicant can show that there are special circumstances which justify his late application.
A BN(O) Late Registration Appeals Advisory Committee has been established to advice the Governor on those later applications which have been rejected by the Immigration Department.
The spokesman emphasised that those who already had a BN(O) passport, either the conventional hard-cover type or the burgundy red machine readable type, need not apply again.
Applications for BN(O) passports may be submitted to the Immigration Department either by post or in person. Applicants may also deposit their applications into the drop-in boxes installed at the Immigration Headquarters or at any immigration branch offices throughout the territory.
Application forms are available at all immigration offices and district offices.
Hong Kong BDTCs living, working or studying abroad, are also required to observe the cut-off dates if they want to apply for a BN(O) passport. However, they are not required to return to Hong Kong for their applications.
They should submit their applications to the nearest British passport issuing office either by post or in person. The required overseas application forms can be obtained at those offices or the Hong Kong Immigration Department.
For more information, member of the public may telephone 2824 1177 (English) or 2824 1717 (Chinese).
End/Thursday, October 26, 1995