Chinese baby born in UK to Chinese parents - Travel document to return to China

[roadrunner_1306]

Hi,

I am trying to find some information as to how to apply, and where, for a travel document for a 2 years old girl, born in UK, to return to China, Beijing with her mother.
Any help would be much appreciated, many thanks.

[jaykay]

If you're in UK then Chinese Embassy would be the place to start.

If you're in HK then start here Resources

[packy_crusher]

THis is a tricky question and requires some facts first. Are the two Chinese parents you refer to from Hong Kong or the mainland? Are they legal residents in the United Kingdom?

The problem lies in the fact that if they are not legal, then the Chinese government will only give a Chinese travel document and not a passport, and the child risks being trapped in China if they stay there too long (pass the validity of the travel document). That said, the Chinese government will not recognize your child's UK passport as it will be considered a Chinese citizen and China does not recognize dual nationality.

If the parents are from Hong Kong or the mainland and are legal residents of the United Kingdom (at least one) then the Child may register as a UK citizen if the parents are "settled" in the UK. One Parent being a UK citizen also permits this. You would register through the home office.

Read more here:http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/br...izen/borninuk/

Because China does not recognize dual nationality, there is no de facto dual nationality - that is to say, if you register as a UK national, you void any Chinese nationality there was before. Because the child was born in the UK, the Chinese government will likely ask for a letter from the UK government at some point that the child did not claim UK nationality so you cannot hide it. In my opinion, if possible, keep the UK nationality. In the long-term, the child's future will be easier.

Good luck

[roadrunner_1306]

"The problem lies in the fact that if they are not legal, then the Chinese government will only give a Chinese travel document and not a passport"
Indeed both mother and baby are failed asylum seekers. The problem is that i am awaiting for the child's amended birth certificate (it was issued with the wrong name) to apply for travel documents for the baby so she can go to China mainland with her mother. I just thought there would be an online application form and some information as to how to go about that, what documents I need, how long it will take, etc. I could not find any of this info on the Chinese Embassy web page.

Does the mother and the baby need to be present when I apply? I share Parental Responsibility.
Do I need to contact UKBA or is everything done through the Chinese Embassy?
Child's birth was registered here but she was not granted a status, other than her mother's. The mother is an illegal immigrant here.

Many thanks