Interestingly the Governor of Hong Kong is making the request on the opening page preamble ‘to allow the bearer to pass without hinderance,’ rather than the UK government.
It was apparently valid for all countries expect those needing visas. Different times!
Date picture taken
17 Oct 1981
Gallery
Comments
Hello,is this passport valid…
Hello,is this passport valid after 1983? or observations have been added?
HK passport
The validity was for 10 years expiring in 1991. No observations added other than that the passport holder had a HK ID card No xxxxxxxxxxxx
new passport
New Hong Kong passports which expired after 1997 are red and smaller. Note that instead of the governor, it is now the secretary of state. With this, the holder can stay in certain countries for a limited period of time including the UK. For longer period in the UK, one may need something like a work permit. With the new BNO scheme, it seems the holder doesn't need to have employment in the UK before entering the country and staying for an extended time.
Re: Preamble
I note the preamble and its wording is similar to other colonies that had passport issuing offices. Passports obtained in the United Kingdom or through the High Commission etc had a different preamble.
In the Hong Kong context, the preamble changed for passports expiring after 1997.
british nationality act 1981
I didn't mean expiration date. Was it necessary to change nationality to BDTC in order to be able to travel to the UK and receive consular protection and assistance?
People could apply for BN(O)…
People could apply for BN(O) status for a period of 10 years prior to the handover to China on 1 July 1997.
The UK government introduced the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) route to provide the opportunity for BN(O) status holders and certain family members to live, work, and study in the UK as a concession after imposition of national security law in Hong Kong. It was supposed to benefit those born after 1997.
The concession ended on 19 July 2021. That means it is not possible to apply for BN(O) status now.
This page may be helpful
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/hong-kong-british-national-o…
british hong kong machine readable passport
Hi,who has photos of a British Hong Kong machine readable passport (BUT NOT BNO) like thishttps://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Old-hongkong-bp.jpg,thank you!