North East Rhodesia (now part of Zambia)

Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia)

Northern Rhodesia was a British Protectorate before gaining Independence 23.10.1964. The territory continued to be treated as a British Protectorate for British nationality purposes during the Federal Rhodesia period in the 1960's. You could be eligible for British citizenship if you were:

• Born in Northern Rhodesia before independence with a UK-born grandparent;
• Born after 1948 and before 1983, with a parent born in Northern Rhodesia and with a UK-born grandparent;
• Born after 31 Dec 1982, with a parent born in Northern Rhodesia before 1949 and that parent had a parent born in the UK;
• Born in South Africa after 31 May 1962 but before 1983, and you have a UK-born grandparent;
• Born between 2 March 1970 and 18 April 1980 in Rhodesia, and you have a grandfather born in the UK; OR
• Born outside of Rhodesia before 1966 with a Rhodesian-born father, with either grandfather 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 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

The Independence Day arrangements on 24.10.1964 gave rise to many residents gaining one of the various forms of British Nationality. Those born in Northern Rhodesia would have held British Protected Person (BPP) status. This status would have been lost if the new Zambian constitution granted nationality. If not, then BPP status would have been maintained and, in some cases, this can be upgraded to full British Nationality. In some cases, where Zambian nationality was NOT granted (i.e. because of where your parents were born), then British Overseas Citizen (BOC) status would have been granted.

STATUS OF ZAMBIA (formerly North West and North East Rhodesia)

North West Rhodesia (between 1900 until 28.02.1958) and North East Rhodesia (from 1923 to 28.02.1958) were British Protectorates. The combined territory was named Northern Rhodesia after 1911.

As from 01.03.1958 until 31.12.1963, it was part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland, an independent Commonwealth country. For the purposes of UK nationality, it remained a Protectorate.

From 01.01.1964 until 23.10.1964, it was a Protectorate and still named Northern Rhodesia.

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

As from 24.10.1964 until the present day, Northern Rhodesia became Zambia and was a independent Commonwealth country. Click here for more information about the consequences of being born in a Commonwealth country.

Barotseland

Barotseland was an area of southern North West Rhodesia and for the purposes of nationality, included in the Protectorate.