Gov’t announces additional path to citizenship

BVI’s Civil Registry & Passport Office has notified the public of an additional citizenship pathway for adults who were excluded from obtaining citizenship as British Overseas Territory and British citizens, due to historical legislative unfairness in British nationality law.

According to information from the Deputy Governor’s Office, this new path allows for persons to be eligible to apply to become both British Overseas Territory citizens (BOTC) and British citizen (BC) through registration having met the following requirement:

If the individual was born outside a British Overseas Territory before 1 January, 1983 to a mother born in a British Overseas Territory or before 1 July, 2006 to an unmarried BOTC father.

The Deputy Governor’s Office said persons are allowed to register as a BOTC and a BC simultaneously, by accessing the website www.gov.uk  and downloading the appropriate forms. They will also have the option to apply for only one of the two citizenships, if preferred (where applicable).

Applicants are asked be familiarised with the eligibility guidance provided on the UK government website for more information on applying for citizenship under historical unfairness.

Additionally, only paper application forms will be accepted. Applicants are to ensure that paper application forms, including original supporting documents, are mailed to the designated address listed on the website.

It is also recommended that applicants forward a full-coloured copy of a valid passport, as they may need to use their passport while the application is being processed.

The UK Home Office will communicate with applicants directly via email, regarding their application for registration as a British Overseas Territory and/or British citizen.

The application form for applicants claiming citizenship from a BOTC mother can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/register-as-a-british-overseas-territories-citizen-form-botcm

The form for applicants claiming citizenship from an unmarried BOTC father can be accessed at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/registration-as-a-british-overseas-territories-citizen-botcf/botc-f-registration-as-a-british-overseas-territories-citizen-andor-a-british-citizen-accessible

At this time, it is unclear how many persons will be eligible for citizenship via this new pathway. For years, people have complained that stipulations in the British Nationality Act have prevented many persons from obtaining status as British citizens despite one or both parents having that status.

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