TNAG-1751-FCO40-2471-Future-of-Hong-Kong-Parliamentary-debates-1988 — Page 131

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British citizenship for Hong Kong investors

We recognise the valuable contribution Hong Kong businessmen can

make to the UK by investment. But we cannot legally grant citizenship as a reward or as an honour. Anyone who wishes to

become a British citizen must meet the statutory requirements of the British Nationality Act 1981. The two main requirements are that applicants for naturalisation should be free of immigration time restrictions (that is they should have been granted settlement here) on the date of their application; and that they should have been here on the date exactly 5 years before they apply.

government have no power to set these requirements aside.

The

We can be flexible about the amount of time businessmen can be

out of the country during the 5 year period but we must still be satisfied that the applicant has been here enough to show that he has genuinely made the UK his home.

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