TNAG-1568-FCO40-2134-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 104

choose to acquire the status of British National (Overseas) and who would otherwise become stateless on 1 July 1997

will become British Overseas citizens on that date.

RIGHTS

6.

a

A British National (Overseas) will be entitled to hold

a British passport. He will also have an entitlement to

full British consular protection and services when

travelling or residing abroad (although not to consular

protection in the People's Republic of China if he is regarded by the Chinese Government as a Chinese national or

in any other country of which he is regarded as national). He will also be exempt under the UK immigration rules from any requirement to hold an entry certificate or

visa to visit the United Kingdom, as are BDTCs now. (The

will passport

carry an endorsement confirming this.)

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

(see paragraph 10 below).

In

PASSPORTS

7. The isssue of passports

of passports endorsed with the new status

will commence from the introduction of the status on 1 July

1987.

8. To ensure continuity after 1997 passports issued to

BN (0) s in Hong Kong, as in the United

United Kingdom and at overseas posts, will be issued by Her Britannic Majesty's Secretary of State. (Passports issued by the Governor

would be inappropriate for continued use after 30 June

1997.) Passports issued to BN (0)s will have the same 10 year cycle of validity as other British passports.