British Overseas Territories citizen

The status of British Overseas Territories citizen relates to persons holding British nationality by virtue of a connection with a British Overseas Territory.

British Nationality Act 1981

The British Nationality Act 1981 came into force on 1 January 1983, and divided Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKCs) into three categories:

• British citizens

CUKCs with the right of abode in the United Kingdom and Islands (i.e. the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) by virtue of a close connection therewith, e.g. by birth or descent from a person born in the United Kingdom & Islands, became British citizens.

• British Dependent Territories citizens

CUKCs with a close connection with one of the United Kingdom's Dependent Territories became British Dependent Territories citizens (BDTCs). It was possible for a person to acquire British citizenship and BDTC at the same time. For example, a person born in Bermuda before 1983 with a parent born in the United Kingdom would have acquired both nationalities.

• British Overseas citizens

All other CUKCs became British Overseas citizens.

There are categories of British national other than these three, but these consist of persons who were not CUKCs before 1983.

See also History of British nationality law

British Overseas Territories Act 2002

On 26 February 2002 British Dependent Territories citizenship (BDTC) was renamed to British Overseas Territories citizenship (BOTC). The two terms have...
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