TNAG-2187-FCO40-3124-Hong-Kong-British-National-(Overseas)-(BN(O))-passports-1990 — Page 17

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

London SW1A 2AH

Telephone 01-

Mr Hoque

11

Pa on BN (0) Pets

Bm(o)lets.

je

ista

Your reference

Robert Clements Esq

26 Braemar Road

Plaistow

LONDON

E13 8EH

HKD 340/3 348/3

STRY

23 OCT 1990

OFFICER

Dear Mr Clements,

た

Our reference

Date

REGISTRY

Action Taken

P12ACI

11 October 1990

Thank you for your letter of 24 September to the Foreign Secretary. I have been asked to investigate and reply.

I am sorry to learn of the problems that you and your wife faced at Lisbon Airport. However, I can confirm that the Portugese immigration authorities acted within their rights in refusing entry to your wife, as Portugese law requires all British National (Overseas) passport holders to have a visa obtained in advance. If, following the recommendation in the back of the passport, you sought advice from, for example, a travel agent, you may wish to pursue the matter with them. But, while we would always hope that British passport holders are treated courteously by officials abroad, we cannot insist that the Portugese waive visa requirements for British National (Overseas) passport holders.

I realise that this will give little satisfaction after your unfortunate experiences. But I should perhaps draw two further points to your attention. First, Portugese citizenship was not granted to all those from Macau in 1988: the only change in that year was the issue of passports in a new style, similar to the new European Community passports now issued in Britain.

Secondly, if your wife has been resident in the UK for three years and remains resident here, she may be entitled to register as a British citizen. If this applies in her case, she may wish to contact the Immigration and Nationality Division of the Home Office (at Lunar House, Croydon, Surrey CR9 2BY) to discuss the matter in more detail. If she could register as a British citizen, she would be entitled to the same passport as your own.

удалтай Yours sincereh,

Jandαnäsme

DM Landsman

Southern European Department