British National (Overseas)

British National (Overseas)
Traditional Chinese英國國民(海外)
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinYīngguó guómín (hǎiwài)
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationYīng gwok gwok màhn (hói ngoih)
JyutpingJing1 gwok3 gwok3 man4 (hoi2 ngoi6)

British National (Overseas), abbreviated as BN(O), is a class of British nationality associated with the former colony of Hong Kong. The status was acquired through voluntary registration by individuals with a connection to the territory who had been British Dependent Territories citizens (BDTCs) before the handover to China in 1997. Registration for BN(O) status was limited to the 10-year period preceding the transfer as a transitional arrangement for former BDTCs; current residents cannot newly acquire this nationality.

BN(O)s are British nationals and Commonwealth citizens, but not British citizens. They are subject to immigration controls when entering the United Kingdom and do not have automatic right of abode there or in Hong Kong, but all BN(O)s would have had permanent resident status in Hong Kong when they acquired this nationality. Following the Chinese government's imposition of controversial national security law on Hong Kong in 2020, the UK has allowed BN(O)s and their dependent family members to apply for a renewable 5-year residence visa since 31 January 2021.

This nationality gives its holders favoured status when they are resident in the United Kingdom, conferring eligibility to vote, obtain citizenship under a simplified process, and serve in public office or government positions. There are an estimated 2.9 million BN(O)s; about 720,000 of them hold valid British passports with this status and enjoy consular protection when travelling abroad.[1] However, the Chinese government does not recognise these passports as valid travel documents and restricts BN(O)s from accessing British consular protection from diplomatic missions located in Hong Kong and mainland China at the same year.