Hong Kong

We cover several scenarios:

• British National Overseas (BNO)

• You or parent born in Hong Kong before 1 July 1997

You could be eligible for BRITISH NATIONALITY in the following circumstances:

• You are LIVING IN THE UK on a valid visa and intend to Naturalise as a British Citizen in due course. Click here to read more about claiming British Citizenship through Residency.

• You were BORN IN THE UK* (or Northern Ireland) before 1983. You will have been classified as British Otherwise than by Descent, can hold a British Passport, and can pass British Nationality to your children, irrespective of where these children are born. Click here to read more about claiming British Nationality by Birth.

• You have a PARENT* (a father or mother) who was born in the UK (or Northern Ireland) before 1983. Your parent will have been classified as British Otherwise than by Descent, hold a British Passport, and they can pass British Nationality to their children, irrespective of where these children are born. Click here to read more about claiming British Nationality by Descent.

• You have a GRANDPARENT born in the UK (or Northern Ireland). Click here to read more about claiming British Nationality by Double Descent.

• You are UNDER 18, and you have a grandparent or great grandparent born in the UK (or Northern Ireland). Click here to read more about the British Nationality rights of children under the age of 18.

* It gets more complicated if:

Your parents weren’t married at the time of your birth; or
You (or a parent) were adopted.

How do I find out if I have a claim to British Nationality?

We suggest following our 4 STEP PROCESS, designed to simplify the complex laws of British nationality and to avoid unnecessary and expensive application fees, to find your answer:

Step 1: Determine whether you have a Standard Route (birth in the UK before 1983, or a parent born in the UK before 1983)
Step 2: If not, complete our free Nationality Assessment
Step 3: Order a free Status Trace
Step 4: Conduct a Citizenship Report

Complete our nationality assessment

To find out whether you or your children might have a claim, take a couple of moments to complete our FREE online passport assessment.

 

 

STATUS OF HONG KONG

Hong Kong was part of the UK and Colonies from 01.01.1949 up until 01.01.1983.

It was then a British Dependent Territory up until 01.07.1997 at which point it China took over control. Click here for more information on the status of a  British Overseas Dependent Territory.

Click here for more information on the status of Citizen of the United Kingdom & Colonies (CUKC), a status achieved by birth in the Colony.

CHINA

From 26.06.1858 until 19.05.1943, the Crown exercised extra-territorial jurisdiction. From this date, it became a foreign country.

Hong Kong citizens aged between 18-30 qualify for a Working Holiday Visa for Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.