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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 advise the Governor on those late 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 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, members of the public may telephone 2824 1177 (English) or 2824 1717 (Chinese).
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