TNAG-1561-FCO40-2125-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 145

CONFIDENTIAL

Rights

7.

The rights which

a

British National (Overseas) will

enjoy

will include:

the right to hold a British passport;

entitlement to full British Consular Protection and Services when travelling abroad (although not in the People's Republic

of China if he is a Chinese national);

ex emption,

under

the

UK

immigration rules, from any

requirement to hold an

United Kingdom.

entry certificate or visa to visit the

In addition, a BN(O) will have the right of abode in Hong Kong.

Passports

Passports endorsed with the new status will be issued with

effect from the introduction of the status on 1 July 1987.

B.

9.

Although persons who are BDTC's by virtue of

of a connection

with Hong Kong will retain this status until 1 July 1997 whether or

not they apply for BN(O) status, in accordance with normal international practice, only one passport will be held. Therefore

any BDTC who decides to apply

to apply for BN(O) status will be required to

give up his previous BDTC passport.

10.

Apart from the

endorsement

concerning

national status,

passports issued to BN(0) s will be the same as other British

passports and will have the same 10 year cycle of

usual, children under 16 years will be issued 5

initially, renewable for 5 years.)

validity. (As

year passports

CONFIDENTIAL