- 14 -
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.
Parents or legal guardians of eligible children born between 1992 and 1995 must submit their applications on or before December 31. They should apply for a Hong Kong permanent identity card on behalf of the children at the same time. To avoid a last minute rush, they are advised to apply early.
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.
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 spokesperson 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.
To save time in queuing up at Immigration Offices, eligible applicants should send in their applications by post or make use of the drop-in boxes installed at the Immigration Headquarters and branch offices throughout the territory. Only persons who have lost their previous passports, or who need the passport for urgent travel should apply in person.
For more information. members of the public may telephone 2824 1177 (English) or 2824 1717 (Chinese).
End
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.