Dear all, thank you for your information!
Hello waiming, I applied for the 1990 Selection Scheme by myself as an adult. I was the principle applicant of my family and I was awarded the “Cert of Registration as a British Citizen, British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990†. On my certificate, it indicates “ Section 1(1)â€. So, I should be a BC Otherwise by Descent.
I am a mother, so my son borned in 2001 should be automatically acquired British citizenship by descent.
Since he is already a BC, I do not need to register him to become a BC, I think.
I am really quite confused by what the solicitor told me yesterday. I think my case should be quite standard, I don’t think there are different types of BC Otherwise by Descent? Thanks for resassuring me that she may be wrong.
Hi all,
So it seems that there is no such rule that a BC by descent cannot apply UK passport after he turns 18, so I can still apply the British passport for him (/us).
I hesitate before applying for the UK passport because of some “silly†reasons:
(a) I am worrying that is there any possibility that China will revoke the dual nationalities right for the Hong Kong people suddenly one day? If so, those with dual nationalities may need to decide whether to maintain one nationality and cancel the other IMMEDIATELY? However, if I do not possess a Passport but just keep a Cert in my drawer, then I may decide whether to proceed to “realize†the UK nationality and abandon my HK citizenship according to my own time schedule then? I know China officially do not allow dual nationalities in its mainland.
(But at the same time, China said they do not recognize the British nationality gained thru this 1990 Selection Scheme, so, I will not be considered as dual nationalities even if I get the UK passport?)
(b) As I have only one certificate to proof my status, I am worrying in case it is lost (although chance is little) when I mail it to UK during the process I apply for the UK passport. If so, does UK HM has my status information and can reissue a Replacement copy to me then?
Or better if I can apply for a Duplicate official copy of my BC Cert first before starting the passport application process?
Or is there anywhere I can make a Certified true copy of my Cert beforehand?
I will proceed to try to ask the UK HM Passport Office now(there is a eform for enquiry in their web site) for a confirmation of our eligibility for the passports, and whether a duplicate / replacement copy possible for my BC Cert issued thru Act 1990. Or, to see whether I can contact the British Consulate General Hong Kong too.
Thank you all for your help and the links provided here!