Information for Those of Nepalese Ethnic Origin

Information for those of Nepalese ethnic origin

British nationals of Nepalese descent may be eligible to register as British citizens under the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997 or Section 4B of the British Nationality Act 1981. Nepalese law did not permit dual nationality before 26 November 2006 and now does so only in very limited circumstances. Therefore, any person of Nepalese descent would normally cease to be a Nepalese citizen immediately upon acquiring the citizenship of another country.

The following examples are to try and help those of Nepalese ethnicity identify whether they are eligible for registration as a British citizen.

If you fit into any of the examples below, you will be eligible for registration under the British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1997.

Example A

You were born in Hong Kong;

You are a holder of a BN(O) passport;

You never held a Nepalese Certificate of Citizenship;

Immediately before 4 February 1997 and on the date of application you were/are ordinarily resident in Hong Kong;

You are of good character.

Example B

You were born in Hong Kong;

You do not hold a BN(O) passport;

You never held a Nepalese Certificate of Citizenship;

Immediately before 4 February 1997 and on the date of application you were/are ordinarily resident in Hong Kong;

You are of good character.

Example C

You were born outside Hong Kong;

You were a British Dependent Territories Citizen (BDTC) by descent (through parents) or by naturalisation or registration before 1 July 1997;

You hold a BN(O) passport;

You never held a Nepalese Certificate of Citizenship;

Immediately before 4 February 1997 and on the date of application you were/are ordinarily resident in Hong Kong;

You are of good character.

Example D

You were born outside Hong Kong;

You were a BDTC by descent (through parents) or by naturalisation/registration before 1 July 1997;

You do not hold a BN(O) passport;

You never held a Nepalese Certificate of Citizenship;

Immediately before 4 February 1997 and on the date of application you were/are ordinarily resident in Hong Kong;

You are of good character.

Example E

You were born in Hong Kong after 1 July 1997 and before 26 November 2006;

At the time of your birth your father was a BN(O) passport holder;

At birth and on the date of application you were/are ordinarily resident in Hong Kong;

(If aged 10 or over) you are of good character.

Section 4B British Nationality Act 1981

If you were a BDTC of Hong Kong and did not hold, and were not eligible to hold, another nationality on 1 July 1997 (including BN(O) status) you would automatically have become a BOC on that date and therefore will be eligible for registration as a British citizen under Section 4B of the British Nationality Act 1981.

Holders of Nepalese Certificate of citizenship

If you meet all the criteria above but hold a Nepalese Certificate of Citizenship, you will be assumed to be a citizen of Nepal and will not qualify. However, if you consider that your Nepalese Certificate of Citizenship was issued to you in error and feel that you do qualify to be registered as a British citizen, you should first obtain written evidence from the Nepalese authorities confirming that your certificate was issued in error and you were never considered to be a Nepalese citizen.

The consular section can help you obtain this information from the Nepalese authorities by providing you with a letter explaining your former British nationality status up to its expiry on 1 July 1997. This is so that the Nepalese authorities can decide the legal effect (if any) of your Nepalese citizenship certificate. However, this letter is not obligatory and there is a charge for it.