Last Updated on November 14, 2024 by Tracey Roberts
BNO Passport : If you are a Hong Kong resident and you are interested in finding out if you would be eligible for a UK passport, you have no doubt come across the term, “British National (Overseas) passport” (or BNO passport).
The term may sound like a mouthful but it is actually quite simple to explain.
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A common question among U.K.ABROAD clients is, “What is a British National (Overseas) passport?” This article will explain everything you need to know about this kind of UK passport.
BNO Passport Definition.
A British National (Overseas) passport is defined as a passport that is issued to an individual who is a British overseas territories citizen.
This type of British citizenship was created back in 1987 by the UK government as a result of the Hong Kong Act of 1985.
You are a British National (overseas) citizen if you are a permanent resident of Hong Kong, you were a British Dependent Territories citizen up until the end of June 1997, you elected to remain British and subsequently registered for British National (Overseas) citizenship while Hong Kong was still under administration of the UK.
One of the conditions to being eligible for a British National (Overseas) passport is that you must hold a Hong Kong identity card.
Is British National (Overseas) actual citizenship?
If you have a BNO passport, you are considered to be a British Commonwealth citizen, but not an actual UK citizen.
The British National (Overseas) citizenship falls under one of the main kinds of UK nationality.
What are my rights if I hold a BNO passport?
As the holder of a BNO passport, unfortunately you do not automatically have the right to live, work and study in the United Kingdom.
However, from 31 January 2021, British National (Overseas) citizens have had the option to apply for a 5-year limited leave to remain in order to live, study or work in the UK.
Thereafter, you would become eligible to apply for settled status, as long as you have lived in the UK for at least 5 years.
Once you have obtained your settled status, you will then be able to register as a UK citizen after another year.
A British National (Overseas) passport also allows you to have visa-free access to the UK for up to six months as a visitor.
Unfortunately, at this time, the European Union does not recognize holders of British National (Overseas) passports as being UK nationals.
What does a BNO passport look like?
The BNO passport looks very similar to the regular, British passport in that it has the new, blue colour, the words “United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland” embossed in gold and the UK’s coat of arms.
A key difference between a standard British passport and a British National (Overseas) passport is that the holder’s page (where your personal details appear) has different wording.
Here, your nationality is indicated as being “British National (Overseas)” and the request page is in the name of the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.
Instead of your nationality being “GBR” in the machine-readable zone, it is defined as “GBN”.
What are the benefits of having a British National Overseas (BNO) passport?
A BNO passport is a sought-after document and can make travel to and from the UK much easier. In addition, it allows the holder to enjoy visa-free access to a wide range of countries throughout the world.
Your British National (Overseas) passport entitles you to have consular assistance and protection from any UK embassy, high commission or consulate.
As a British National (Overseas), you and your family members could be able to apply for British National (Overseas) visas, which enable you to freely live, work and study within the UK.
Here at U.K.ABROAD, we recommend applying for a British National (Overseas) passport if you believe that you qualify, as it can open many doors for you and make travelling so much easier.
BNO Renewal
If you are looking at BNO passport renewal, simply click here to get the online application process started.
The renewal process is very similar to that of a regular UK passport and can be completed within a few weeks.
How do I apply for a British National (Overseas) passport?
If you believe that you meet the above criteria for a BNO passport, you can start the application process.
U.K.ABROAD can assist you with every aspect of the application process and can ensure that your forms are completed fully and accurately and that your photos meet the criteria of HM Passport Office.
The forms are completed electronically and then submitted directly to the passport office.
Once your passport has been approved, it will be sent to you via DHL, regardless of where you are located in the world.
More FAQs
In this section, our team of British Passport experts will answer your most frequently asked questions about BNO passports.
Who is eligible for BNO passport?
To be eligible for a BNO passport, you must be 18 or older, have British National (Overseas) Status and generally reside in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands or Isle of Man.
Is BNO a UK passport?
The British National (Overseas) passport, also known as the BN(O) passport, is a British passport issued to individuals with British National (Overseas) citizenship.
What is the difference between BNO passport and British passport?
According to WhatPassport.com : BN(O)s are entitled to BN(O) passports, which are specific British Passports for international travel. They are lookalike versions of regular British Citizen passports, but do not have the text “European Union” on the cover.
Conclusion
We hope you have enjoyed this blog post on BNO passports. For more information about what a British National (Overseas) passport looks like or for help with BNO renewal, please contact us today! We also recommend applying for a British National Overseas (BNO) passport if you believe that you qualify because it can open many doors for you and it will make travelling so much easier.
Contact U.K.ABROAD
Do you have additional questions about the British National (Overseas) passport? The U.K.ABROAD team of specialists has a deep understanding of this kind of UK citizenship and we can assist you with any queries you may have.
Simply contact us here and we will be in touch as soon as possible.
