Am I eligible for a BNO passport?

greentealatte · 28-06-2016, 02:43 AM

What are the requirements for applying for a BNO passport?
Is there any benefits to holding a BNO over a HKSAR passport?

I was born in 1986 and has lived in HK until 10 years old, and came back when I was 20.
I've never applied for one.
Am I eligible for a BNO passport?

rickyross · 28-06-2016, 03:00 AM

1. Did you try Google? We're not the UK Immigration Dept. Try this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/public...from-hong-kong

2. Why would you want a BNO? It doesn't grant you UK citizenship, is more expensive than the HKSAR passport and has a lot more visa restrictions. Or are you just after a fancy English passport?

IceEagle · 28-06-2016, 07:21 AM

Originally Posted by greentealatte:

What are the requirements for applying for a BNO passport?

IIRC, one of the requirements was to apply before 1 July 1997.

Originally Posted by greentealatte:

I've never applied for one.
Am I eligible for a BNO passport?

Nope. Eligibility was lost once the deadline past.

Today, no one can make a first time application for one. However, existing holders can continue to renew expired BNO passports for the rest of their lives.

Claire ex-ax · 28-06-2016, 10:06 AM

You may have been eligible back in 1996 but not now, as others have said that ship has sailed.

You have, I guess, an HKSAR one and the one from the country you emigrated to. So you'll be good for travel anywhere; why the interest in a BNO one (not that you can get one, obviously)?

kma88 · 28-06-2016, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by greentealatte:

Is there any benefits to holding a BNO over a HKSAR passport?

A BNO passport holder living in the UK could have voted in the Brexit referendum, if this was something important to you.

Claire ex-ax · 28-06-2016, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by kma88:

A BNO passport holder living in the UK could have voted in the Brexit referendum, if this was something important to you.

Er, no.

kma88 · 28-06-2016, 10:37 AM

Commonwealth citizens living in the UK could vote. BNO passport holders are considered commonwealth citizens right?

EU referendum 2016: Who was allowed to vote on Brexit? | Politics | News | Daily Express

Claire ex-ax · 28-06-2016, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by kma88:

Commonwealth citizens living in the UK could vote. BNO passport holders are considered commonwealth citizens right?

EU referendum 2016: Who was allowed to vote on Brexit? | Politics | News | Daily Express

I apologise and stand corrected. Hong Kong is not a Commonwealth country but "former residents of Hong Kong who hold a British Dependent Territories, British Nationals (Overseas) or British Overseas passport qualify for registration".

I'm not sure whether being able to vote in a possible 2nd EU referendum would be a main reason to hold a BNO, but the OP still needs to start up the old time machine to apply before July 1, 1997.