Overview

This bill amends the British Nationality Act 1981 to allow descendants of individuals born in the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) to register as British Overseas Territories citizens. It aims to grant citizenship rights to those with historical links to the territory, regardless of where they were born, without any associated fees.

Description

The bill adds a new section (16A) to the British Nationality Act 1981. This section establishes a pathway to British Overseas Territories citizenship for descendants of individuals who were citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies due to their birth in the BIOT (or its precursor islands) before or after November 8th, 1965. To qualify, an applicant must be a direct descendant of such a person, and must not already hold British Overseas Territories citizenship. Importantly, the registration process under this new section will be free of charge.

Government Spending

The bill is not expected to have a significant impact on UK government spending. The removal of any fees associated with registration is likely to be offset by administrative costs associated with processing applications. No specific financial figures are provided in the bill.

Groups Affected

This bill primarily affects:

• Descendants of individuals born in the BIOT: This group will gain the right to apply for British Overseas Territories citizenship, potentially impacting their travel, employment, and other rights.
• The UK Government: The government will be responsible for processing applications and administering the new citizenship provision. This will necessitate some administrative costs.

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