British National (Overseas) - Registration Procedure

Registration Procedure

The registration procedure of the British National (Overseas) status started on 1 July 1987 and applications could be made in Hong Kong's Immigration Department, passport offices in Britain or passport offices of the British Embassies, Consulates or Missions abroad. The majority however kept their original nationality (BDTC) in the early years when only 15% of the passport applications was for the BN(O) passport. In order to avoid peaks in the registration towards the transfer of sovereignty, the government divided Hong Kong's British Dependent Territories Citizens into groups by year of birth in 1993, and a deadline for applying British National (Overseas) status and passport was set for each group ranging from 1993 until 30 September 1997. All late applicants (within a certain age group) without a legitimate written-explanation would be deprived of their right to register. Most applications were made on or before 30 June 1997, and British Dependent Territories citizenship of Hong Kong officially ceased to exist after that day. However, those who acquired Hong Kong's British Dependent Territories citizenship between 1 January and 30 June 1997, were allowed to register until 30 September, nearly three months after the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong. In light of the United Kingdom Memorandum to the Joint Declaration, 31 December 1997 was the final expiry date to register for British National (Overseas) status.