British National (Overseas)

(asked on 7th January 2020) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he plans to provide British National Overseas passport holders in Hong Kong with (a) full UK citizenship and (b) a pathway to full citizenship.


Answered by
Heather Wheeler Portrait
Heather Wheeler
This question was answered on 13th January 2020

As the Foreign Secretary stated in Parliament on 26 September, the status of British Nationals (Overseas) (BN(O)) was a part of the delicate balance in negotiations that led to the Sino-British Joint Declaration. We are not seeking to change the status of any one part of that package but rather to ensure it is respected by both sides. As such, we have no plans to change the status of BN(O) or to provide pathways to full citizenship beyond those that already exist. The best outcome for BN(O) is for the high degree of autonomy and rights and freedoms set out in the Joint Declaration and provided for in the Basic Law to be upheld. This is where we are focusing our efforts.

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