Source: http://www.legislationline.org/documents/action/popup/id/7199
Timestamp: 2019-06-17 01:37:10
Document Index: 114287212

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 3', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 7']

1. Acquisition by birth or adoption.
2. Acquisition by descent.
3. Acquisition by registration: minors.
4. Acquisition by registration: British Dependent Territories citizens etc.
5. Acquisition by registration: nationals for purposes of the Community Treaties.
6. Acquisition by naturalisation. Acquisition after commencement: special cases
7. Right to registration by virtue of residence in U.K. or relevant employment.
8. Registration by virtue of marriage.
9. Right to registration by virtue of father's citizenship etc.
10. Registration following renunciation of citizenship of U.K. and Colonies. Acquisition at commencement ll. Citizens of U.K. and Colonies who are to become British citizens at commencement. Renunciation and resumption
13. Resumption. Supplementary
14. Meaning of British citizen "by descent".
15. Acquisition by birth or adoption.
16. Acquisition by descent.
17. Acquisition by registration: minors.
18. Acquisition by naturalisation. Acquisition after commencement: special cases
19. Right to registration by virtue of residence in dependent territory.
20. Registration by virtue of marriage.
21. Right to registration by virtue of father's citizenship etc.
22. Right to registration replacing right to resume citizenship of U.K. and Colonies. Acquisition at commencement
23. Citizens of U.K. and Colonies who are to become British Dependent Territories citizens at commencement. Renunciation and resumption.
24. Renunciation and resumption. Supplementary 25. Meaning of British Dependent Territories citizen "by descent".
26. Citizens of U.K. and Colonies who are to become British Overseas citizens at commencement.
27. Registration of minors.
28. Registration by virtue of marriage.
29. Renunciation.
30. Continuance as British subjects of existing British subjects of certain descriptions. 31. Continuance as British subjects of certain former citizens of Eire.
32. Registration of minors.
33. Registration of certain alien women entitled to registration as British subjects immediately before commencement.
34. Renunciation.
36. Provisions for reducing statelessness.
37. Commonwealth citizenship.
38. British protected persons.
39. Amendment of Immigration Act 1971.
40. Deprivation of citizenship.
41. Regulations and Orders in Council.
42. Registration and naturalisation: general provisions.
43. Exercise of functions of Secretary of State by Governors and others.
44. Decisions involving exercise of discretion.
45. Evidence.
46. Offences and proceedings.
47. Legitimated children.
48. Posthumous children.
49. Registration and naturalisation under British Nationality Acts 1948 to 1965.
51. Meaning of certain expressions relating to nationality in other Acts and instruments.
52. Consequential amendments, transitional provisions, repeals and savings.
53. Citation, commencement and extent.
Schedule 1. Requirements for naturalisation.
Schedule 2. Provisions for reducing statelessness.
Schedule 3. Countries whose citizens are Commonwealth citizens.
Schedule 4. Amendments of Immigration Act 1971.
Schedule 5. Form of oath of allegiance.
Schedule 6. British Dependent Territories.
Schedule 7. Consequential amendments. Schedule 8. Transitional provisions.
1981 CHAPTER 61
BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:––
1 Acquisition by birth or adoption
(1) A person born in the United Kingdom after commencement shall be a British citizen if at the time of the birth his father or mother is—
(b) settled in the United Kingdom.
(2) A new-born infant who, after commencement, is found abandoned in the United Kingdom shall, unless the contrary is shown, be deemed for the purposes of subsection (1)—
(3) A person born in the United Kingdom after commencement who is not a British citizen by virtue of subsection (1) or (2) shall be entitled to be registered as a British citizen if, while he is a minor—
(4) A person born in the United Kingdom after commencement who is not a British citizen by virtue of subsection (1) or (2) shall be entitled, on an application for his registration as a British citizen made at any time after he has attained the age of ten years, to be registered as such a citizen if, as regards each of the first ten years of that person’s life, the number of days on which he was absent from the United Kingdom in that year does not exceed 90.
(5) Where after commencement an order authorising the adoption of a minor who is not a British citizen is made by any court in the United Kingdom, he shall be a British citizen as from the date on which the order is made if the adopter or, in the case of a joint adoption, one of the adopters is a British citizen on that date.
(6) Where an order in consequence of which any person became a British citizen by virtue of subsection (5) ceases to have effect, whether on annulment or otherwise, the cesser shall not affect the status of that person as a British citizen.
(7) If in the special circumstances of any particular case the Secretary of State thinks fit, he may for the purposes of subsection (4) treat the person to whom the application relates as fulfilling the requirement specified in that subsection although, as regards any one or more of the first ten years of that person’s life, the number of days on which he was absent from the United Kingdom in that year or each of the years in question exceeds 90.
(8) In this section and elsewhere in this Act "settled" has the meaning given by section 50.
Appointment Commencement order: SI 1982/933.
2 Acquisition by descent
(1) A person born outside the United Kingdom after commencement shall be a British citizen if at the time of the birth his father or mother—
(b) is a British citizen and is serving outside the United Kingdom in service to which this paragraph applies, his or her recruitment for that service having taken place in the United Kingdom; or
(c) is a British citizen and is serving outside the United Kingdom in service under a Community institution, his or her recruitment for that service having taken place in a country which at the time of the recruitment was a member of the Communities.
(2) Paragraph (b) of subsection (1) applies to—
(3) For the purposes of this section the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrumentdesignate any description of service which he considers to be closely associated with the activities outside the United Kingdom of Her Majesty’s government in the United Kingdom.
3 Acquisition by registration: minors
(2) A person born outside the United Kingdom shall be entitled, on an application for his registration as a British citizen made within the period of twelve months from the date of the birth, to be registered as such a citizen if the requirements specified in subsection (3) or, in the case of a person born stateless, the requirements specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of that subsection, are fulfilled in the case of either that person’s father or his mother ("the parent in question").
(3) The requirements referred to in subsection (2) are—
(b) that the father or mother of the parent in question—
(c) that, as regards some period of three years ending with a date not later than the date of the birth—
(i) the parent in question was in the United Kingdom at the beginning of that period; and
(ii) the number of days on which the parent in question was absent from the United Kingdom in that period does not exceed 270.
(5) A person born outside the United Kingdom shall be entitled, on an application for his registration as a British citizen made while he is a minor, to be registered as such a citizen if the following requirements are satisfied, namely—
(a) that at the time of that person’s birth his father or mother was a British citizen by descent; and
(b) subject to subsection (6), that that person and his father and mother were in the United Kingdom at the beginning of the period of three years ending with the date of the application and that, in the case of each of them, the number of days on which the person in question was absent from the United Kingdom in that period does not exceed 270; and
(6) In the case of an application under subsection (5) of the registration of a person as a British citizen—
4 Acquisition by registration: British Dependent Territories citizens etc
(1) This section applies to any person who is a British Dependent Territories citizen, [a British National (Overseas),] a British Overseas citizen, a British subject under this Act or a British protected person.
(2) A person to whom this section applies shall be entitled, on an application for his registration as a British citizen, to be registered as such a citizen if the following requirements are satisfied in the case of that person, namely—
(4) If in the special circumstances of any particular case the Secretary of State thinks fit, he may for the purposes of subsection (2) do all or any of the following things, namely—
(a) treat the person to whom the application relates as fulfilling the requirement specified in subsection (2)(a) or subsection (2)(b), or both, although the number of days on which he was absent from the United Kingdom in the period there mentioned exceeds the number there mentioned;
(5) If, on an application for registration as a British citizen made by a person to whom this section applies, the Secretary of State is satisfied that the applicant has at any time served in service to which this subsection applies, he may, if he thinks fit in the special circumstances of the applicant’s case, cause him to be registered as such a citizen.
(6) Subsection (5) applies to—
(a) Crown service under the government of a dependent territory; and
(b) paid or unpaid service (not falling within paragraph (a)) as a member of any body established by law in a dependent territory members of which are appointed by or on behalf of the Crown.
Amendment Sub-s (1): words in square brackets inserted by SI 1986/948, art 7.
5 Acquisition by registration: nationals for purposes of the Community treaties
A British Dependent Territories citizen who falls to be treated as a national of the United Kingdom for the purposes of the Community Treaties shall be entitled to be registered as a British citizen if an application is made for his registration as such a citizen.
6 Acquisition by naturalisation
Acquisition after commencement: special cases
7 Right to registration by virtue of residence in UK or relevant employment
(1) A person shall be entitled, on an application for his registration as a British citizen made (subject to subsections (6) and (7)) within five years after commencement, to be registered as such a citizen if either of the following requirements is satisfied in his case, namely—
(a) that, if paragraphs 2 and 3 (but not paragraph 4 or 5) of Schedule 1 to the Immigration Act 1971 had remained in force, he would (had he applied for it) have been, on the date of the application under this subsection, entitled under the said paragraph 2 to be registered in the United Kingdom as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies; or
(b) that, if section 5A of the 1948 Act (and section 2 of the Immigration Act 1971 as in force immediately before commencement) had remained in force, he would (had he applied for it) have been, both at commencement and on the date of the application under this subsection, entitled under section 5A(1) of the 1948 Act to be registered as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies.
(2) A person shall be entitled, on an application for his registration as a British citizen made (subject to subsection (8)) within six years after commencement, to be registered as such a citizen if he—
(a) was ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom throughout a period ending at commencement but not amounting to five years; and
(b) throughout the period from commencement to the date of the application—
(i) remained ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom; and
(ii) had the right of abode in the United Kingdom under the Immigration Act 1971; and
(c) had on the date of the application been ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom for the last five years or more.
(3) Subject to subsection (5), if, in the case of an application for the registration of a person under subsection (2) as a British citizen, that person has been engaged in relevant service throughout any period (of whatever length), that period shall for the purposes of subsection (2) be treated as a period throughout which he was ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom.
(4) For the purposes of subsection (3) "relevant service" means—
(a) Crown service under the government of the United Kingdom; or
(b) service under any international organisation of which the United Kingdom or Her Majesty’s government therein is a member; or
(c) service in the employment of any company or association established in the United Kingdom.
(5) A person shall not be registered under subsection (2) wholly or partly by reason of service within subsection (4)(b) or (c) unless it seems to the Secretary of State fitting that he should be so registered by reason of his close connection with the United Kingdom.
(6) If in the special circumstances of any particular case the Secretary of State thinks fit, he may treat subsection (1) as if—
(a) the reference to five years after commencement were a reference to eight years after commencement; or
(b) where subsection (7) applies, as if the reference to five years from the date on which the person to whom the application relates attains full age were a reference to eight years from that date,
but shall not do so in the case of an application based on paragraph (b) of subsection (1) unless the person to whom the application relates would have been entitled to be registered under that subsection on an application so based made immediately before the end of the five years after commencement.
(7) In the case of any person who is a minor at commencement, the reference to five years after commencement in subsection (1) above shall be treated as a reference to five years from the date on which he attains full age.
(8) If in the special circumstances of any particular case the Secretary of State thinks fit, he may treat subsection (2) as if the reference to six years after commencement were a reference to eight years after commencement.
8 Registration by virtue of marriage
(1) A woman who immediately before commencement was the wife of a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies shall be entitled, on an application for her registration as a British citizen made within five years after commencement, to be registered as a British citizen if—
(a) immediately before commencement she would (if she had applied for it) have been entitled under section 6(2) of the 1948 Act to be registered as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by virtue of her marriage to the man who was then her husband; and
(b) that man became a British citizen at commencement and did not at any time in the period from commencement to the date of the application under this subsection cease to be such a citizen as a result of a declaration of renunciation; and
(c) she remained married to him throughout that period.
(2) On an application for her registration as a British citizen made within five years after commencement, the Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, cause a woman to be registered as such a citizen if—
(a) immediately before commencement she would (if she had applied for it) have been entitled under section 6(2) of the 1948 Act to be registered as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by virtue of having been married to a man to whom she is no longer married on the date of the application under this subsection; and
(b) that man became a British citizen at commencement or would have done so but for his death.
(3) On an application for her registration as a British citizen made within five years after commencement by a woman who at the time of the application is married, the Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, cause her to be registered as such a citizen if—
(a) immediately before commencement she would (if she had applied for it) have been entitled under section 6(2) of the 1948 Act to be registered as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by virtue of her being or having been married to the man who is her husband on the date of the application under this subsection; and
(b) that man either—
(i) became a British citizen at commencement but has ceased to be such a citizen as a result of a declaration of renunciation; or
(ii) would have become a British citizen at commencement but for his having ceased to be a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies as a result of a declaration of renunciation.
9 Right to registration by virtue of father's citizenship etc
(1) A person born in a foreign country within five years after commencement shall be entitled, on an application for his registration as a British citizen made within the period of twelve months from the date of the birth, to be registered as such a citizen if—
(a) the requirements specified in subsection (2) are fulfilled in the case of that person’s father; and
(b) had that person been born before commencement and become a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by virtue of section 5 of the 1948 Act (citizenship by descent) as a result of the registration of his birth at a United Kingdom consulate under paragraph (b) of the proviso to section 5(1) of that Act, he would immediately before commencement have had the right of abode in the United Kingdom by virtue of section 2(1)(b) of the Immigration Act 1971 as then in force (connection with United Kingdom through parent or grandparent).
(2) The requirements referred to in subsection (1)(a) are that the father of the person to whom the application relates—
(a) immediately before commencement or at his death (whichever was earlier)—
(i) was a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by virtue of section 5 of the 1948 Act (citizenship by descent) or was a person who, under any provision of the British Nationality Acts 1948 to 1965, was deemed for the purposes of the proviso to section 5(1) of the 1948 Act to be a citizen of the United Kingdom and colonies by descent only; and
(ii) was married to that person’s mother; and
(iii) was ordinarily resident in a foreign country (no matter which) within the meaning of the 1948 Act; and
(i) became a British citizen at commencement and remained such a citizen throughout the period from commencement to the date of the application or, if he died during that period, throughout the period from commencement to his death; or
(ii) would have become a British citizen at commencement but for his death.
10 Registration following renunciation of citizenship of UK and Colonies
(1) Subject to subsection (3), a person shall be entitled, on an application for his registration as a British citizen, to be registered as such a citizen if immediately before commencement he would (had he applied for it) have been entitled under section 1(1) of the British Nationality Act 1964 (resumption of citizenship) to be registered as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by virtue of having an appropriate qualifying connection with the United Kingdom or, if a woman, by virtue of having been married before commencement to a person who has, or would if living have, such a connection.
(2) On an application for his registration as a British citizen made by a person of full capacity who had before commencement ceased to be a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies as a result of a declaration of renunciation, the Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, cause that person to be registered as a British citizen if that person—
(b) if a woman, has been married to a person who has, or would if living have, such a connection.
(4) For the purposes of this section a person shall be taken to have an appropriate qualifying connection with the United Kingdom if he, his father or his father’s father—
Acquisition at commencement
11 Citizens of UK and Colonies who are to become British citizens at commencement
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person who immediately before commencement—
(2) A person who was registered as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies under section 1 of the British Nationality (No 2) Act 1964 (stateless persons) on the ground mentioned in subsection (1)(a) of that section (namely that his mother was a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies at the time when he was born) shall not become a British citizen under subsection (1) unless—
(b) immediately before commencement he had the right of abode in the United Kingdom by virtue of section 2(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1971 as then in force (settlement in United Kingdom, combined with five or more years’ ordinary residence there as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies).
(b) was so registered on an application under the said subsection (6) based on the applicant’s descent in the male line from a person ("the relevant person") possessing one of the qualifications specified in subsection (1)(a) and (b) of that section (birth or naturalisation in the United Kingdom and Colonies),
12 Renunciation
(3) A declaration made by a person in pursuance of this section shall not be registered unless the Secretary of State is satisfied that the person who made it will after the registration have or acquire some citizenship or nationality other than British citizenship; and if that person does not have any such citizenship or nationality on the date of registration and does not acquire some such citizenshipor nationality within six months from that date, he shall be, and be deemed to have remained, a British citizen notwithstanding the registration.
(4) The Secretary of State may withhold registration of any declaration made in pursuance of this section if it is made during any war in which Her Majesty may be engaged in right of Her Majesty’s government in the United Kingdom.
See further, in relation to British Nationals (Overseas) and their status:
Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986, SI 1986/948, art 7(10).
13 Resumption
(1) Subject to subsection (2), a person who has ceased to be a British citizen as a result of a declaration of renunciation shall be entitled, on an application for his registration as a British citizen, to be registered as such a citizen if—
14 Meaning of British citizen "by descent"
(1) For the purposes of this Act a British citizen is a British citizen "by descent" if and only if—
(b) subject to subsection (2), he is a person born outside the United Kingdom before commencement who became a British citizen at commencement and immediately before commencement—
(iii) had the right of abode in the United Kingdom by virtue only of paragraph (b) of subsection (1) of section 2 of the Immigration Act 1971 as then in force (connection with United Kingdom throughparent or grandparent), or by virtue only of that paragraph and paragraph (c) of that subsection (settlement in United Kingdom with five years’ ordinary residence there), or by virtue only of being or having been the wife of a person who immediately before commencement had that right by virtue only of the said paragraph (b) or the said paragraphs (b) and (c); or
(iv) being a woman, was a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies as a result of her registration as such a citizen under section 6(2) of the 1948 Act by virtue of having been married to a man who at commencement became a British citizen by descent or would have done so but for having died or ceased to be a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies as a result of a declaration of renunciation; or
(c) he is a British citizen by virtue of registration under section 3(1) and either—
(d) he is a British citizen by virtue of registration under section 5; or
(h) he is a person born in a dependent territory after commencement who is a British citizen by virtue of paragraph 2 of Schedule 2.
(2) A person born outside the United Kingdom before commencement is not a British citizen "by descent" by virtue of subsection (1)(b) or (e) if his father was at the time of his birth serving outside the United Kingdom—
(3) The descriptions of service referred to in subsection (2) are—
15 Acquisition by birth or adoption
(1) A person born in a dependent territory after commencement shall be a British Dependent Territories citizen if at the time of the birth his father or mother is—
(a) a British Dependent Territories citizen; or
(b) settled in a dependent territory.
(2) A new-born infant who, after commencement, is found abandoned in a dependent territory shall, unless the contrary is shown, be deemed for the purposes of subsection (1)—
(b) to have been born to a parent who at the time of the birth was a British Dependent Territories citizen or settled in a dependent territory.
(3) A person born in a dependent territory after commencement who is not a British Dependent Territories citizen by virtue of subsection (1) or (2) shall be entitled to be registered as such a citizen if, while he is a minor—
(a) his father or mother becomes such a citizen or becomes settled in a dependent territory; and
(4) A person born in a dependent territory after commencement who is not a British Dependent Territories citizen by virtue of subsection (1) or (2) shall be entitled, on an application for registration as a British Dependent Territories citizen made at any time after he has attained the age of ten years, to be registered as such a citizen if, as regards each of the first ten years of that person’s life, the number of days on which he was absent from that territory in that year does not exceed 90.
(5) Where after commencement an order authorising the adoption of a minor who is not a British Dependent Territories citizen is made by a court in any dependent territory, he shall be a British Dependent Territories citizen as from the date on which the order is made if the adopter or, in the case of a joint adoption, one of the adopters, is a British Dependent Territories citizen on that date.
(6) Where an order in consequence of which any person became a British Dependent Territories citizen by virtue of subsection (5) ceases to have effect, whether on annulment or otherwise, the cesser shall not affect the status of that person as such a citizen.
(7) If in the special circumstances of any particular case the Secretary of State thinks fit, he may for the purposes of subsection (4) treat the person to whom the application relates as fulfilling the requirements specified in that subsection although, as regards any one or more of the first ten years of that person’s life, the number of days on which he was absent from the dependent territory there mentioned in that year or each of the years in question exceeds 90.
16 Acquisition by descent
(1) A person born outside the dependent territories after commencement shall be a British Dependent Territories citizen if at the time of the birth his father or mother—
(b) is such a citizen and is serving outside the dependent territories in service to which this paragraph applies, his or her recruitment for that service having taken place in a dependent territory.
(3) For the purposes of this section the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument designate any description of service which he considers to be closely associated with the activities outside the dependent territories of the government of any dependent territory.
17 Acquisition by registration: minors
(1) If while a person is a minor an application is made for his registration as a British Territories citizen the Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, cause him to be registered as such a citizen.
(2) A person born outside the dependent territories shall be entitled, on an application for his registration as a British Dependent Territories citizen made within the period of twelve months from the date of the birth, to be registered as such a citizen if the requirements specified in subsection (3) or, in the case of a person born stateless, the requirements specified in paragraphs (a) and (b) of that subsection, are fulfilled in the case of either that person’s father or mother ("the parent in question").
(a) that the parent in question was a British Dependent Territories citizen by descent at the time of the birth; and
(i) was a British Dependent Territories citizen otherwise than by descent at the time of birth of the parent in question; or
(ii) became a British Dependent Territories citizen otherwise than by descent at commencement, or would have become such a citizen otherwise than by descent at commencement but for his or her death; and
(i) the parent in question was in a dependent territory at the beginning of that period; and
(5) A person born outside the dependent territories shall be entitled, on an application for his registration as a British Dependent Territories citizen made while he is a minor, to be registered as such a citizen if the following requirements are satisfied, namely—
(a) that at the time of that person’s birth his father or mother was a British Dependent Territories citizen by descent; and
(b) subject to subsection (6), that that person and his father and mother were in one and the same dependent territory (no matter which) at the beginning of the period of three years ending with the date of the application and that, in the case of each of them, the number of days on which the person in question was absent from the last-mentioned territory in that period does not exceed 270; and
(6) In the case of an application under subsection (5) for the registration of a person as a British Dependent Territories citizen—
(c) if he was born illegitimate, all those reference shall be read as references to his mother.
18 Acquisition by naturalisation
(1) If, on an application for naturalisation as a British Dependent Territories citizen made by a person of full age and capacity, the Secretary of State is satisfied that the applicant fulfils the requirements of Schedule 1 for naturalisation as such a citizen under this subsection, he may, if he thinks fit, grant to him a certificate of naturalisation as such a citizen.
(2) If, on an application for naturalisation as a British Dependent Territories citizen made by a person of full age and capacity who on the date of the application is married to such a citizen, the Secretary of State is satisfied that the applicant fulfils the requirements of Schedule 1 for naturalisation as such a citizen under this subsection, he may, if he thinks fit, grant to him a certificate of naturalisation as such a citizen.
(3) Every application under this section shall specify the dependent territory which is to be treated as the relevant territory for the purposes of that application; and, in relation to any such application, references in Schedule 1 to the relevant territory shall be construed accordingly.
19 Right to registration by virtue of residence in dependent territory
(1) A person shall be entitled, on an application for his registration as a British Dependent Territories citizen made within five years after commencement, to be registered as such a citizen if, had paragraphs 2 to 5 of Schedule 1 to the Immigration Act 1971 remained in force, he would (had he applied for it) have been, on the date of the application under this subsection, entitled under the said paragraph 2 to be registered in a dependent territory as a citizen of the United Kingdom andColonies.
(2) In the case of any person who is a minor at commencement, the reference to five years after commencement in subsection (1) shall be treated as a reference to five years from the date on which he attains full age.
(3) If in the special circumstances of any particular case the Secretary of State thinks fit, he may treat subsection (1) as if—
(b) where subsection (2) applies, as if the reference to five years from the date on which the person to whom the application relates attains full age were a reference to eight years from that date.
20 Registration by virtue of marriage
(1) A woman who immediately before commencement was the wife of a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies shall be entitled, on an application for her registration as a British Dependent Territories citizen made within five years after commencement, to be registered as a British Dependent Territories citizen if—
(b) that man became a British Dependent Territories citizen at commencement and did not at any time in the period from commencement to the date of the application under this subsection cease to be such a citizen as a result of a declaration of renunciation; and
(2) On such an application for her registration as a British Dependent Territories citizen made within five years after commencement the Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, cause a woman to be registered as such a citizen if—
(b) that man became a British Dependent Territories citizen at commencement or would have done so but for his death.
(3) On an application for her registration as a British Dependent Territories citizen made within five years after commencement by a woman who at the time of the application is married, the Secretary of State shall, if he thinks fit, cause her to be registered as such a citizen if—
(i) became a British Dependent Territories citizen at commencement but has ceased to be such acitizen as a result of a declaration of renunciation; or
(ii) would have become a British Dependent Territories citizen at commencement but for his having ceased to be a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies as a result of a declaration of renunciation.
21 Right to registration by virtue of father’s citizenship etc
A person born in a foreign country within five years after commencement shall be entitled, on an application for his registration as a British Dependent Territories citizen made within the period of twelve months from the date of the birth, to be registered as such a citizen if—
(a) the requirements referred to in subsection (1)(a) of section 9 are fulfilled in the case of that person’s father, subsection (2)(b) of that section being for the purposes of this paragraph read as if any reference to becoming or remaining a British citizen were a reference to becoming or, as the case may be, remaining a British Dependent Territories citizen; and
(b) had that person been born before commencement and become a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies as mentioned in subsection (1)(b) of that section, he would at commencement have become a British Dependent Territories citizen by virtue of section 23(1)(b).
22 Right to registration replacing right to resume citizenship of UK and colonies
(1) Subject to subsection (3), a person shall be entitled, on an application for his registration as a British Dependent Territories citizen, to be registered as such a citizen if immediately before commencement he would (had he applied for it) have been entitled under section 1(1) of the British Nationality Act 1964 (resumption of citizenship) to be registered as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by virtue of having an appropriate qualifying connection with a dependent territory or, if a woman, by virtue of having been married before commencement to a person who has, or would if living have, such a connection.
(2) On an application for his registration as a British Dependent Territories citizen made by a person of full capacity who had before commencement ceased to be a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies as a result of a declaration of renunciation, the Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, cause that person to be registered as a British Dependent Territories citizen if that person—
(a) has an appropriate qualifying connection with a dependent territory; or
(4) For the purposes of this section a person shall be taken to have an appropriate qualifying connection with a dependent territory if he, his father or his father’s father—
23 Citizens of UK and Colonies who are to become British Dependent Territories citizens at commencement
(1) A person shall at commencement become a British Dependent Territories citizen if—
(a) immediately before commencement he was a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies who had that citizenship by his birth, naturalisation or registration in a dependent territory; or
(b) he was immediately before commencement a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies, and was born to a parent—
(ii) who either had that citizenship at the material time by his birth, naturalisation or registration in a dependent territory or was himself born to a parent who at the time of that birth so had that citizenship; or
(c) being a woman, she was immediately before commencement a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies and either was then, or had at any time been, the wife of a man who under paragraph (a) or (b) becomes a British Dependent Territories citizen at commencement or would have done so but for his death.
(2) A person shall at commencement become a British Dependent Territories citizen if—
(b) he was so registered otherwise than in a dependent territory; and
(c) his father or mother (in the case of a person registered under the said section 7) or his mother (in the case of a person registered under the said section 1)—
(ii) becomes a British Dependent Territories citizen at commencement or would have done so but for his or her death.
(a) immediately before commencement was a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by virtue of having been registered under subsection (6) of section 12 of the 1948 Act (British subjects before commencement of 1948 Act becoming citizens of United Kingdom and Colonies) otherwise than in a dependent territory; and
(b) was so registered on an application under that subsection based on the applicant’s descent in the male line from a person ("the relevant person") possessing one of the qualifications specified in subsection (1) of that section (birth or naturalisation in the United Kingdom and Colonies, or acquisition of the status of British subject by reason of annexation of territory),
shall at commencement become a British Dependent Territories citizen if the relevant person—
(i) was born or naturalised in a dependent territory; or
(ii) became a British subject by reason of the annexation of any territory included in a dependent territory.
(b) was so registered otherwise than in a dependent territory; and
(c) was so registered by virtue of having an appropriate qualifying connection with a dependent territory or, if a woman, by virtue of having been married to a person who at the time of the registration had or would, if then living, have had such a connection,
shall at commencement become a British Dependent Territories citizen.
(5) For the purposes of subsection (4) a person shall be taken to have an appropriate qualifying connection with a dependent territory if he, his father or his father’s father—
(a) was born in a dependent territory; or
(b) is or was a person naturalised in a dependent territory; or
(c) was registered as a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies in a dependent territory; or
(d) became a British subject by reason of the annexation of any territory included in a dependent territory.
24 Renunciation and resumption
The provisions of sections 12 and 13 shall apply in relation to British Dependent Territories citizens and British Dependent Territories citizenship as they apply in relation to British citizens and British citizenship.
25 Meaning of British Dependent Territories citizen "by descent"
(1) For the purposes of this Act a British Dependent Territories citizen is such a citizen "by descent" if and only if—
(a) he is a person born outside the dependent territories after commencement who is a British Dependent Territories citizen by virtue by section 16(1)(a) only or by virtue of registration under section 17(2) or 21; or
(b) subject to subsection (2), he is a person born outside the dependent territories before commencement who became a British Dependent Territories citizen at commencement and immediately before commencement—
(c) he is a British Dependent Territories citizen by virtue of registration under section 17(1) and either—
(i) his father or mother was a British Dependent Territories citizen at the time of the birth; or
(ii) his father or mother was a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies at that time and became a British Dependent Territories citizen at commencement, or would have done so but for his or her death; or
(d) subject to subsection (2), he is a person born outside the dependent territories before commencement who became a British Dependent Territories citizen at commencement under section 23(1)(b) only; or
(e) subject to subsection (2), being a woman, she became a British Dependent Territories citizen at commencement under section 23(1)(c) only, and did so only by virtue of having been, immediately before commencement or earlier, the wife of a man who immediately after commencement was, or would but for his death have been, a British Dependent Territories citizen by descent by virtue of paragraph (b) or (d) of this subsection; or
(f) subject to subsection (2), being a woman born outside the dependent territories before commencement, she is a British Dependent Territories citizen as a result of her registration as such a citizen under section 20 by virtue of being or having been married to a man who at commencement became such a citizen by descent or would have done so but for his having died or ceased to be a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies as a result of a declaration of renunciation; or
(g) he is a British Dependent Territories citizen by virtue of registration under section 22 who, having before commencement ceased to be a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies as a result of a declaration of renunciation, would, if he had not so ceased, have at commencement become a British Dependent Territories citizen by descent by virtue of paragraph (b), (d) or (e);
(h) he is a British Dependent Territories citizen by virtue of registration under section 13 (as applied by section 24) who, immediately before he ceased to be a British Dependent Territories citizen as a result of a declaration of renunciation, was such a citizen by descent; or
(i) he is a person born in the United Kingdom after commencement who is a British Dependent Territories citizen by virtue of paragraph 1 of Schedule 2.
(2) A person born outside the dependent territories before commencement is not a British Dependent Territories citizen "by descent" by virtue of subsection (1)(b), (d), (e) or (f) if his father was at the time of his birth serving outside the dependent territories in service of a description mentioned in subsection (3), his recruitment for the service in question having taken place in a dependent territory.
26 Citizens of UK and Colonies who are to become British Overseas citizens at commencement
Any person who was a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies immediately before commencement and who does not at commencement become either a British citizen or a British Dependent Territories citizen shall at commencement become a British Overseas citizen.
27 Registration of minors
(2) A person born in a foreign country within five years after commencement shall be entitled, on an application for his registration as a British Overseas citizen made within the period of twelve months from the date of the birth, to be registered as such a citizen if—
(a) the requirements referred to in subsection (1)(a) of section 9 are fulfilled in the case of that person’s father, subsection (2)(b) of that section being for the purposes of this paragraph read as if—
(i) any reference to becoming a British citizen were a reference to becoming a citizen of any of the following descriptions, namely a British citizen, a British Dependent Territories citizen and a British Overseas citizen; and
(ii) the reference to remaining a British citizen throughout any period were a reference to being throughout that period a citizen of at least one of those descriptions (though not necessarily the same one) throughout that period; and
(b) had that person been born before commencement and become a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies as mentioned in subsection (1)(b) of that section, he would at commencement have become a British Overseas citizen by virtue of section 26.
28 Registration by virtue of marriage
(1) A woman who immediately before commencement was the wife of a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies shall be entitled, on an application for her registration as a British Overseas citizen made within five years after commencement, to be registered as a British Overseas citizen if—
(b) that man became a British Overseas citizen at commencement and did not at any time in the period from commencement to the date of application under this subsection cease to be such a citizen as a result of a declaration of renunciation; and
(2) On an application for her registration as a British Overseas citizen made within five years after commencement, the Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, cause a woman to be registered as such a citizen if—
(b) that man became a British Overseas citizen at commencement or would have done so but for his death.
(3) On an application for her registration as a British Overseas citizen made within five years after commencement by a woman who at the time of the application is married, the Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, cause her to be registered as such a citizen if—
(i) became a British Overseas citizen at commencement but has ceased to be such a citizen as a result of a declaration of renunciation; or
(ii) would have become a British Overseas citizen at commencement but for his having ceased to be a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies as a result of a declaration of renunciation.
29 Renunciation
30 Continuance as British subjects of existing British subjects of certain descriptions
A person who immediately before commencement was—
(a) a British subject without citizenship by virtue of section 13 to 16 of the 1948 Act; or
31 Continuance as British subjects of certain former citizens of Eire
(b) that he has associations by way of descent, residence or otherwise with the United Kingdom or with any dependent territory,
32 Registration of minors
33 Registration of certain alien women entitled to registration as British subjects immediately before commencement
A woman who immediately before commencement was the wife of a British subject shall be entitled, on an application for her registration as a British subject made within five years after commencement, to be registered as a British subject if—
(a) immediately before commencement she would (if she had applied for it) have been entitled under section 1 of the British Nationality Act 1965 to be registered as a British subject by virtue of her marriage to the man who was then her husband; and
(b) on the date of the application under this section that man is a British subject; and
(c) she remained married to him throughout the period from commencement to that date.
34 Renunciation
35 Circumstances in which British subjects are to lose that status
36 Provisions for reducing statelessness
37 Commonwealth citizenship
(a) under [the British Nationality Acts 1981 and 1983] is a British citizen, a British Dependent Territories citizen, [a British National (Overseas),] a British Overseas citizen or a British subject; or
Amendment Sub-s (1): in para (a) first words in square brackets substituted by the British Nationality (Falkland Islands) Act 1983, s 4(3); second words in square brackets inserted by SI 1986/948, art 7.
in sub-s (1) reference to the British Nationality Act 1981 modified to include the Hong Kong (BritishNationality) Order 1986, by the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986, SI 1986/948, art 7(3).
British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990, s 2.
British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997, s 2.
38 British protected persons
(1) Her Majesty may by Order in Council made in relation to any territory which was at any time before commencement—
declare to be British protected persons for the purposes of this Act any class of person who are connected with that territory and are not citizens of any country mentioned in Schedule 3 which consists of or includes that territory.
39 Amendment of Immigration Act 1971
(1)––(5) . . .
(6) Schedule 4 (which contains further amendments of the Immigration Act 1971) shall have effect.
(8) A certificate of patriality issued under the Immigration Act 1971 and in force immediately before commencement shall have effect after commencement as if it were a certificate of entitlement issued under that Act [as in force after commencement], unless at commencement the holder ceases to have right of abode in the United Kingdom.
Amendment Sub-ss (1), (2), (4): substitute the Immigration Act 1971, s 2, and insert s 8(5A). Sub-ss (3), (5): repealed by the Immigration Act 1988, s 3(3). Sub-s (7): amends the Mental Health Act 1959, s 90, and the Mental Health (Scotland) Act 1960, s 82; repealed in part by the Mental Health Act 1983, s 148(3), Sch 6. Sub-s (8): words in square brackets substituted by the Immigration Act 1988, s 3(3).
(1) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Secretary of State may by order deprive any British citizen to whom this subsection applies of his British citizenship if the Secretary of State is satisfied that the registration or certificate of naturalisation by virtue of which he is such a citizen was obtained by means of fraud, false representation or the concealment of any material fact.
(2) Subsection (1) applies to any British citizen who—
(a) became a British citizen after commencement by virtue of—
(i) his registration as a British citizen under any provision of [the British Nationality Acts 1981 and 1983]; or
(ii) a certificate of naturalisation granted to him under section 6; or
(b) being immediately before commencement a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies by virtue of registration as such a citizen under any provision of the British Nationality Acts 1948 to 1964, became at commencement a British citizen; or
(c) at any time before commencement became a British subject (within the meaning of that expression at that time), or a citizen of Eire or of the Republic of Ireland, by virtue of a certificate of naturalisation granted to him or in which his name was included.
(3) Subject to the provisions of this section, the Secretary of State may by order deprive any British citizen to whom this subsection applies of his British citizenship if the Secretary of State is satisfied that that citizen—
(4) Subsection (3) applies to any British citizen who falls within paragraph (a) or (c) of subsection (2); and in subsection (3) "the relevant date", in relation to a British citizen to whom subsection (3) applies, means the date of the registration by virtue of which he is such a citizen or, as the case may be, the date of the grant of the certificate of naturalisation by virtue of which he is such a citizen.
(5) The Secretary of State—
(a) shall not deprive a person of British citizenship under this section unless he is satisfied that it is not conducive to the public good that that person should continue to be a British citizen; and
(b) shall not deprive a person of British citizenship under subsection (3) on the ground mentioned in paragraph (c) of that subsection if it appears to him that that person would thereupon become stateless.
(6) Before making an order under this section the Secretary of State shall give the person against whom the order is proposed to be made notice in writing informing him of the ground or grounds on which it is proposed to be made and of his right to an inquiry under this section.
(7) If the person against whom the order is proposed to be made applies in the prescribed manner for an inquiry, the Secretary of State shall, and in any other case the Secretary of State may, refer the case to a committee of inquiry consisting of a chairman, being a person possessing judicial experience, appointed by the Secretary of State and of such other members appointed by the Secretary of State as he thinks proper.
(8) The Secretary of State may make rules for the practice and procedure to be followed in connection with references under subsection (7) to a committee of inquiry; and such rules may, in particular, provide for conferring on any such committee any powers, rights or privileges of any court, and for enabling any powers so conferred to be exercised by one or more members of the committee.
(9) The power of the Secretary of State to make rules under subsection (8) shall be exercisable by statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
(10) The preceding provisions of this section shall apply in relation to British Dependent Territoriescitizens and British Dependent Territories citizenship as they apply in relation to British citizens and British citizenship, but as if in subsection (2)(a)(ii) the reference to section 6 were a reference to section 18.
Amendment Sub-s (2): in para (a) words in square brackets substituted by the British Nationality (Falkland Islands) Act 1983, s 4(3).
See further, in relation to British Nationals (Overseas) and their status: Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986, SI 1986/948, art 7(11).0 British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990, s 2. British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997, s 2.
41 Regulations and Orders in Council
(1) The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision generally for carrying into effect the purposes of this Act, and in particular provision—
(f) for the cancellation of the registration of, and the cancellation and amendment of certificates of naturalisation relating to persons deprived of citizenship [or of the status of a British National (Overseas)] under this Act, and for requiring such certificates to be delivered up for those purposes;
(g) for the births and deaths of persons of any class or description born or dying in a country mentioned in Schedule 3 to be registered there by the High Commissioner for Her Majesty’s government in the United Kingdom or by members of his official staff;
(h) for the births and deaths of persons of any class or description born or dying in a foreign country to be registered there by consular officers or other officers in the service of Her Majesty’s government in the United Kingdom;
(i) for enabling the births and deaths of British citizens, British Dependent Territories citizens, [British Nationals (Overseas),] British Overseas citizens, British subjects and British protected persons born or dying in any country in which Her Majesty’s government in the United Kingdom has for the time being no diplomatic or consular representatives to be registered—
(i) by persons serving in the diplomatic, consular or other foreign service of any country which, by arrangement with Her Majesty’s government in the United Kingdom, has undertaken to represent that government's’s interest in that country, or
(2) The Secretary of State may with the consent of the Treasury by regulations make provision for the imposition, recovery and application of fees in connection with any of the following matters, namely—
(a) any application made to the Secretary of State under this Act [other than an application for the purpose of acquiring the status of a British National (Overseas)];
(b) the effecting in the United Kingdom of any registration authorised by or under this Act [other than registration as a British National (Overseas)];
(3) Regulations under subsection (1) or (2) may make different provision for different circumstances; and—
(4) Her Majesty may by Order in Council provide for any Act or Northern Ireland legislation to which this subsection applies to apply, with such adaptations and modifications as appear to Her necessary, to births and deaths registered—
(b) at a consulate of Her Majesty in accordance with regulations made under the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act 1914 to 1943 or in accordance with instructions of the Secretary of State; or
(5) Subsection (4) applies to—
Amendment Sub-ss (1), (2): words in square brackets substituted or inserted by SI 1986/948, art 7.
references to the British Nationality Act 1981 modified to include the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986, by the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986, SI 1986/948, art 7(4).
The Northern Ireland Act 1998 makes new provision for the government of Northern Ireland for the purpose of implementing the Belfast Agreement (Cmnd. 3883). In accordance with that Act, any reference in this section to the Parliament of Northern Ireland or the Assembly established under the Northern Ireland Assembly Act 1973, s 1, certain office-holders and Ministers, and any legislative act and certain financial dealings thereof, shall be, for the period specified, construed in accordance with Sch 12, paras 1––––11 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990, s 2. British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997, s 2.
42 Registration and naturalisation: general provisions
(2) So much of subsection (1) as required the taking of an oath of allegiance shall not apply to a person who—
(b) is already a British citizen, a British Dependent Territories citizen, [a British National (Overseas),] a British Overseas citizen, a British subject, or a citizen of any country of which Her Majesty is Queen.
(4) A person registered under any provision of this Act as a British citizen, or as a British Dependent Territories citizen[, or as a British National (Overseas),] or as a British Overseas citizen, or as a British subject, shall be a citizen of that description or, as the case may be, [a British National (Overseas) or] a British subject as from the date on which he is so registered.
(5) A person to whom a certificate of naturalisation as a British citizen or as a British Dependent Territories citizen is granted under any provision of this Act shall be a citizen of that description asfrom the date on which the certificate is granted.
[(6) A person who applies for registration or naturalisation as a British Dependent Territories citizen under any provision of this Act by virtue (wholly or partly) of his having a connection with Hong Kong, may not be naturalised or registered, as the case may be, unless he makes his application on or before 31st March 1996.]
Amendment Sub-ss (2), (4): words in square brackets inserted by SI 1986/948, art 7. Sub-s (6): inserted by SI 1993/1795, art 3.
British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990, s 2. in relation to citizens of Mauritius: Mauritius Republic Act 1992, s 1. British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997, s 2.
43 Exercise of functions of Secretary of State by Governors and others
(1) Subject to subsection (3), the Secretary of State may, in the case of any of his functions under this Act with respect to any of the matters mentioned in subsection (2), make arrangements for that function to be exercised—
(b) in any dependent territory which is for the time being a colony, by the Governor in cases concerning British Dependent Territories citizens or British Dependent Territories citizenship [and in cases concerning British Nationals (Overseas) or the status of a British National (Overseas)].
(2) The said matters are—
(b) renunciation, resumption and deprivation of British citizenship or British Dependent Territories citizenship
[(c) renunciation and deprivation of the status of a British National (Overseas)].
Amendment Sub-s (1): in para (b) words in square brackets inserted by SI 1986/948, art 7. Sub-s (2): para (c) inserted by SI 1986/948, art 7.
references to the British Nationality Act 1981 modified to include the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986, by the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986, SI 1986/948, art 7(6).
44 Decisions involving exercise of discretion
(1) Any discretion vested by or under this Act in the Secretary of State, a Governor or a Lieutenant- Governor shall be exercised without regard to the race, colour or religion of any person who may be affected by its exercise.
(2) The Secretary of State, a Governor or a Lieutenant-Governor, as the case may be, shall not be required to assign any reason for the grant or refusal of any application under this Act the decision on which is at his discretion; and the decision of the Secretary of State or a Governor or Lieutenant- Governor on any such application shall not be subject to appeal to, or review in, any court.
(3) Nothing in this section affects the jurisdiction of any court to entertain proceedings of any description concerning the rights of any person under any provision of this Act.
See further: British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990, s 2.
(1) Every document purporting to be a notice, certificate, order or declaration, or an entry in a register, or a subscription of an oath of allegiance, given, granted or made under this Act or any of the former nationality Acts shall be received in evidence and shall, unless the contrary is provided, be deemed to have been given, granted or made by or on behalf of the person by whom or on whose behalf it purports to have been given, granted or made.
references to the British Nationality Act 1981 modified to include the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986, by the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986, SI 1986/948, art 7(7).
See further: British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990, s 2. British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997, s 2.
46 Offences and proceedings
(1) Any person who for the purpose of procuring anything to be done or not to be done under this Act—
shall be liable on summary conviction in the United Kingdom to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months or to a fine [not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale], or both.
(2) Any person who without reasonable excuse fails to comply with any requirement imposed on him by regulations made under this Act with respect to the delivering up of certificates of naturalisation shall be liable on summary conviction in the United Kingdom to a fine [not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale].
(3) In the case of an offence under subsection (1)—
Amendment Sub-ss (1), (2): maximum fines converted to a level on the standard scale by the Criminal Justice Act 1982, ss 37, 46.
in sub-s (1) reference to the British Nationality Act 1981 modified to include the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986, by the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986, SI 1986/948, art 7(7).
47 Legitimated children
(1) A person born out of wedlock and legitimated by the subsequent marriage of his parents shall, asfrom the date of the marriage, be treated for the purposes of this Act as if he had been born legitimate.
48 Posthumous children
["British National (Overseas)" means a person who is a British National (Overseas) under the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986, and "status of a British National (Overseas)" shall be construed accordingly;
"British Overseas citizen" includes a person who is a British Overseas citizen under the Hong Kong
(British Nationality) Order 1986;]
"British protected person" means a person who is a member of any class of person declared to beBritish protected persons by an Order in Council for the time being in force under section 38 or is a British protected person by virtue of the Solomon Islands Act 1978;
"Crown service under the government of the United Kingdom" means Crown service under Her Majesty's government in the United Kingdom or under Her Majesty's government in Northern Ireland;
"dependent territory" means a territory mentioned in Schedule 6;
"foreign country" means a country other than the United Kingdom, a dependent territory, a country mentioned in Schedule 3 and the Republic of Ireland;
"the former nationality Acts" means—
"Governor", in relation to a dependent territory, includes the officer for the time being administering the government of that territory;
"immigration laws"—
(b) in relation to a dependent territory, means any law for purposes similar to the Immigration Act 1971 which is for the time being or has at any time been in force in that territory;
"statutory provision" means any enactment or any provision contained in—
"United Kingdom consulate" means the office of a consular officer of Her Majesty's government in the United Kingdom where a register of the births is kept or, where there is no such office, such office as may be prescribed.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), references in this Act to a person being settled in the United Kingdom or in a dependent territory are references to his being ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom or, as the case may be, in that territory without being subject under the immigration laws to any restriction on the period for which he may remain.
(3) Subject to subsection (4), a person is not to be regarded for the purposes of this Act—
(b) as having been settled in a dependent territory at any time when he was under the immigration laws entitled to any exemption corresponding to any such exemption as is mentioned in paragraph (a) (that paragraph being for the purposes of this paragraph read as if the words from "unless" to "otherwise" were omitted).
(4) A person to whom a child is born in the United Kingdom after commencement is to be regarded for the purposes of section 1(1) as being settled in the United Kingdom at the time of the birth if—
(a) he would fall to be so regarded but for being at that time entitled to an exemption under section 8(3) of the Immigration Act 1971; and
but this subsection shall not apply if at the time of the birth the child's father or mother is a person on whom any immunity from jurisdiction is conferred by or under the Diplomatic Privileges Act 1964.
(5) It is hereby declared that a person is not to be treated for the purpose of any provision of this Act as ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom or in a dependent territory at a time when he is in the United Kingdom or, as the case may be, in that territory in breach of the immigration laws.
(a) a person shall be taken to have been naturalised in the United Kingdom if, but only if, he is—
(b) a person shall be taken to have been naturalised in a dependent territory if, but only if, he is—
and references in this Act to naturalisation in the United Kingdom or in a dependent territory shall be construed accordingly.
(7) For the purposes of this Act a person born outside the United Kingdom aboard a ship or aircraft—
(a) shall be deemed to have been born in the United Kingdom if—
(b) subject to paragraph (a), is to be regarded as born outside the United Kingdom, whoever was the owner of the ship or aircraft at the time, and irrespective of whether or where it was then registered.
The preceding provisions of this subsection shall apply in relation to each dependent territory with the substitution for the references to the United Kingdom and to a British citizen of references to that territory and to a British Dependent Territories citizen respectively.
(9) For the purposes of this Act—
(10) For the purposes of this Act—
(b) any reference to a day on which a person was absent from the United Kingdom or from a dependent territory or from the dependent territories is a reference to a day for the whole of which he was so absent.
(11) For the purposes of this Act—
(13) Her Majesty may by Order in Council subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament amend Schedule 6 in any of the following circumstances, namely—
Amendment Sub-s (1): definitions "British National (Overseas)" and "British Overseas citizen" inserted by SI 1986/948, art 7.
51 Meaning of certain expressions relating to nationality in other Acts and instruments
(1) Without prejudice to subsection (3)(c), in any enactment or instrument whatever passed or made before commencement "British subject" and "Commonwealth citizen" have the same meaning, that is—
(a) in relation to any time before commencement—
(2) In any enactment or instrument whatever passed or made after commencement—
(3) In any enactment or instrument whatever passed or made before commencement—
(a) "citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies"—
(ii) in relation to any time after commencement, means a person who under [the British Nationality Acts 1981 and 1983] is a British citizen, a British Dependent Territories citizen or a British Overseas citizen [or who under the Hong Kong (British Nationality) Order 1986 is a British National (Overseas)];
(b) any reference to ceasing to be a citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies shall, in relation to any time after commencement, be construed as a reference to becoming a person who is neither a British citizen nor a British Dependent Territories citizen [nor a British National (Overseas)] nor a British Overseas citizen;
(5) The preceding provisions of this section—
Amendment Sub-s (3): first words in square brackets in para (a)(ii) substituted by the British Nationality (Falkland Islands) Act 1983, s 4(3); other words in square brackets inserted by SI 1986/948, art 7.
See further: British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997, s 2.
52 Consequential amendments, transitional provisions, repeals and savings
(2) Subject to subsection (3), Her Majesty may by Order in Council make such consequential modifications of—
(3) Subsection (2) shall not apply in relation to—
(b) any provision of this Act not contained in Schedule 7.
(6) The enactments specified in Schedule 7 shall have effect subject to the amendments there specified, being amendments consequential on the provisions of this Act.
(7) This Act shall have effect subject to the transitional provisions contained in Schedule 8.
(8) The enactments mentioned in Schedule 9 are hereby repealed to the extent specified in the third column of that Schedule.
(11) In this section ""modifications"" includes additions, omissions and alterations.
Modification: The Northern Ireland Act 1998 makes new provision for the government of Northern Ireland for the purpose of implementing the Belfast Agreement (Cmnd. 3883). In accordance with that Act, any reference in this section to the Parliament of Northern Ireland or the Assembly established under the Northern Ireland Assembly Act 1973, s 1, certain office-holders and Ministers, and any legislative act and certain financial dealings thereof, shall be, for the period specified, construed in accordance with Sch 12, paras 1-11 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.