If the holder of BN(O) passport presents his or her Hong Kong Identity Card to enter Macao, the visa-free access period is lengthened to one year (12 months)[citation needed]. BNO holders could not settle in the UK permanently. “Today, about 350,000 of the territory’s people hold British National (Overseas) passports and another 2.5 million would be eligible to apply for them. The passport was first issued in 1987 after the Hong Kong Act 1985,[2] from which this new class of British nationality was created. Holders of BN(O) passports are permanent residents of Hong Kong who were British Dependent Territories citizensuntil 30 June 1997 and had registered as BN(O)s. From 31 January 2021, BN(O) passport holders can … Use this guide to help you apply for a British National Overseas (BNO) passport from Hong Kong. Currently there is an estimated 2.9 million people who are eligible to apply for BN(O) Passports and around 300,000 Hong Kong people currently hold one. The holder of this passport has Hong Kong permanent identity card number XXXXXXX(X) which states that the holder has the right of abode in Hong Kong. The holder's page is identical to the identification page of British Citizen passports with the nationality being indicated as British National (Overseas). Holders of the British National (Overseas) passport are allowed visa-free access for 6 months upon entering Macau. On the other hand, someone who was not born in the country can be eligible for a British passport over time, provided they meet the requirements set by the Government. British Nationals (Overseas) are British nationals but not British citizens, and have not had the right of abode in the UK. [18] By 2015, the less-expensive Hong Kong SAR passport has been granted visa-free access to more than 150 countries and territories. As of January 2021, the UK will allow individuals living in Hong Kong with rights to a BNO passport and their immediate dependants to apply for a special UK visa. BN(O) passports are currently issued in their latest biometric versions (as of 2020) and they bear the "electronic travel document symbol" () on the navy blue coloured cover. This is clearly a brilliant news to millions of BNO passport holders in Hong Kong (or currently reside in the UK). Currant arrangements suggest that only people who have a BNO passport can proceed to apply under the new scheme. British National (Overseas) status is a specific type of British nationality. The British National (Overseas) passports have been criticised[citation needed] for being too expensive, as compared to the HKSAR Passport, which has so far gained visa-free access from a similar number of countries as has the BN(O). Holders of BN(O) passports are ineligible to register for the Registered Traveller service for clearing immigration. Published 25 August 2015 Last updated 15 July 2020 — see all updates [11], As of 2 October 2020, the number of valid British National (Overseas) passports in circulation was 469,416.[12]. Between 1990 and March 2020, all BN(O) passports sported a burgundy red cover identical to that of the British Citizen passports, albeit without the words "European Union" text at the top part of the cover. Millions of Hong Kong residents hold British National (Overseas), or BNO, passports. As of May 2007, there were 800,000 holders of valid BN(O) passports. Any British Dependent Territory Citizens with connections to Hong Kong who had failed to register themselves as British Nationals (Overseas) by the end of 30 June 1997 would also be ineligible to make further claims for BN(O) from 1 July 1997, and those people would either become Chinese nationals or British Overseas Citizens. Since the start of registration for the British National (Overseas) nationality on 1 July 1987, permanent residents of Hong Kong who were British Dependent Territories Citizens could either remain as BDTCs or register for the new type of nationality. The British National (Overseas) passport, commonly referred to as the BN(O) passport, is a British passport for persons with British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) status. Under the new visa, holders will be permitted to remain in the UK for 5 years, at which point they become eligible to apply for indefinite leave to remain. [10], As of 17 April 2020, the number of valid British National (Overseas) passports in circulation was 357,156. People born after July 1, 1997, are not eligible to apply even if their parents are BNO passport holders. Besides, a person fulfills the transitional arrangement under the same Ordinance is also eligible to enjoy the right of abode. When resident in the United Kingdom, a BNO passport holder is also entitled to the right to vote in that country. What is BNO passport? The cover of British National (Overseas) passport was originally navy blue, as in all other types of British passport. [citation needed]. The passport was first issued in 1987 after the Hong Kong Act 1985, from which this new class of British nationality was created. Must sign, date and certify 1 of the 2 Passport sized photographs provided (Only 1 photo is to be used the other is to be left blank!) They are not granted Right of Abode anywhere, including the United Kingdom and Hong Kong through their British National (Overseas) status. The BNO passports were created in 1985 for Hong Kong citizens born prior to Hong Kong’s handover in 1997. [19], From 31 January 2021, BN(O) holders will be able to apply for the right to work and study in the UK for a period of up to five years with limited leave to remain (known as the BN(O) visa). from 1 July 1987 to 21 December 1989, only 15% of newly issued passports were of the BN(O) type; the majority still held the British Dependent Territories Citizen passports). Some 2.6 million out of the 3.4 million British Nationals (Overseas) did not renew their passports upon expiry. The British National Overseas (BNO) passport is a travel document that allows people to get consular assistance and protection from UK diplomatic posts. However, if the parents are BN(O) passport holders, they will also be eligible for this route to obtain British citizenship. Holders of these passports are permitted to visit the United Kingdom without having to obtain a visa beforehand, but they are not entitled to right of abode . Under Hong Kong and Chinese law, these passports are considered to be travel documents only, and do not confer any rights of citizenship on their holders. These are issued by the United Kingdom Government to Hong Kong residents who had British nationality by virtue of a connection with Hong Kong before reunification with China in 1997. In December 2013, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the United Kingdom announced backsourcing of overseas passport processing to their HM Passport Services in Liverpool. What is the British National (Overseas) passport. The holders can then apply for citizenship after 12 more months. In addition, the Government of Hong Kong does not allow BN(O)s to renounce their Chinese citizenship pursuant to the nationality law of the People's Republic of China. Registration for the BN(O) passports was not regarded as a popular, practical option during the early years (e.g. The British National (Overseas) passport, commonly referred to as the BN(O) passport, is a British passport for persons with British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) status. The peak was reached in 2001, when 170,000 were issued in a single year. Children born before 1 July 1997 whose parents have BNO status and whose names are mentioned in their parents’ BNO passports (i.e the child is listed as an ‘Included Child’ in parents’ BNO passports, even if the child has never registered in the past.) The UK said it will expand the visa-free access of Hong Kong's BNO passport holders from six months to five years and give them the right to work and study in Britain during that period. This makes the number of visa-free countries of the BN(O) passport comparatively smaller. Figures estimate there to be around 350,000 BNO passport holders and approximately a further 2.5 million Hong Kong citizens that would be eligible to apply for a BNO passport. Am I eligible for a BNO passport? People born after that date would only be eligible for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) passports, although BN (O) passport holders could continue to … Currently, BNO passport holders are permitted to visit the UK for up to 6 months without having to apply for a visa. People who chose to remain as BDTCs, however, would only be able to renew their BDTC passports for a restricted validity until 30 June 1997, while those who registered as BN(O)s would receive BN(O) passports valid for a full ten years. Permanent residents of Hong Kong had until 30 June 1997 to voluntarily register themselves as a British National (Overseas). These are issued by the United Kingdom Government to Hong Kong residents who had British nationality by virtue of a connection with Hong Kong before reunification with China in 1997. The machine-readable zone starts with P