Hong Kong BNO Passports not to be considered by China as valid travel documents
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II – International Relations
In news
Chinese foreign ministry said that it will consider not recognizing Hong Kong British national overseas (BNO) passports as valid travel documents.
Recently, the British government had announced new visa rules for British National Overseas citizens in HK.
Key takeaways
New visa rules
Britain will start to process BNO visa applications for residents in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) from January 31, 2021.
As per new visa rule, BNO Visa holders will have the right to work and study in the UK for a period of five years. They can apply for citizenship after the sixth year.
Important valueadditions
BNO Passport
The British National (Overseas) passport, commonly referred to as the BN(O) passport, is a British passport for persons with British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) status.
The passport was first issued in 1987 after the Hong Kong Act 1985 from which this new class of British nationality was created.
Holders of BN(O) passports are permanent residents of Hong Kong who were British Dependent Territories citizens until 30 June 1997 and had registered as BN(O)s.
