North Borneo and Labuan (now part of Malaysia)

North Borneo and Labuan (now part of Malaysia)

You could be eligible for British citizenship if you were:

• Born between 31.12.1948 and 31.12.1982, a parent was born in North Borneo and Labuan before 14.07.1946 and that parent had a parent born in the UK.
• Born after 01.01.1983, a parent was born in North Borneo and Labuan before 14.07.1946 and that parent had a parent born in the UK.

There are hundreds of other ways to qualify. As a general rule, if you were born in a country that is different to either parent or any of your grandparents, or you have a connection back to the UK, Ireland or a former British Territory, then you might have a claim.

How can I find out if I can claim British nationality?

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

Step 1: Dertermine 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

NOTE: Modern-day Malaysia is made up of several areas, all of which fell under the influence and control of the British before Independence. Almost 1.3 million Malaysians had claims to (a form of) British Nationality AFTER Independence due to inconsistencies and anomalies in UK Nationality legislation and the Constitution of Malaysia.

For more information on how British Nationality could be gained through your birth (or a parent's birth) in a British Protected State coupled with a UK-born grandparent, watch this short video by Philip Gamble:

Birth in Protected State and UK-born grandparent

NORTH BORNEO AND LABUAN

From 1888 until 14.07.1946, North Borneo was a British Protected State (including Labuan between 1890 to 1905). From 15.07.1946 until 31.12.1948, North Borneo (including Labuan) came within the Crown’s Dominions. From 01.01.1949 until 15.09.1963, the area fell within the UK and Colonies.

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

Click here for more information on the status of a British Protected Person (based on birth in a British Protected State).

MALAYSIA

The constituent parts of Malaysia are North Borneo (and Labuan),  the Malay States, Penang and Malacca, Singapore (at various times) and Sarawak. From 16.09.1963 until the present day, it is an independent Commonwealth country.