TNAG-1087-FCO40-1337-Implications-for-Hong-Kong-of-changes-in-the-British-nationa-1982 — Page 45

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years in the United Kingdom at any time prior to the birth (this requirement does not apply if the child is stateless). addition, male British citizens by descent who are married and resident in foreign countries at commencement will be able to have their children born in a foreign country within 5 years of commencement registered as British citizens by descent, provided there is a specified parental or grandparental link with the United Kingdom. Application must be made within 12 months of the birth.

A child born overseas to a British citizen by descent who is not registered as such a citizen himself within 12 months of his birth would have an entitlement to registration if he subsequently came to the United Kingdom and lived there with both his parents for three years. If registered, the child would be a British citizen otherwise than by descent.

A child born abroad to a British citizen who is in Crown

Service, the service of a European Community institution, or other service designated as closely related to Crown service, will be a British citizen whether or not the parent was born in the United Kingdom, and the child will be able to transmit citizenship to his or her own children on the same terms as a

British citizen born in the United Kingdom.

Acquisition by naturalisation or registration

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British Dependent Territories' oitizens, British Overseas citizens, British subjects under the Act and British protected persons who have or become settled in the United Kingdom will be entitled to be registered as British citizens after 5 years' residence here. British Dependent Territories' citizens from Gibraltar will have an absolute right to be registered as British citizens without the need to be resident in the United Kingdom. Certificates of naturalisation may be granted, at the Home Secretary's discretion, to other Commonwealth citizens and foreign nationals. The qualifications for naturalisation are very similar to those at present. The husband or wife of a

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