Do you have British Overseas Citizenship? If so, you may be wondering what to do in order to get your British passport renewed. It can be confusing trying to figure out the process, but don’t worry! We are here to help. In this blog post, we will discuss everything you need to know about getting a passport as a British Overseas Citizen.
What is a British Overseas Citizen?
A British Overseas citizen (BOC) is a holder of a residual class of British nationality, largely held by people connected with former British colonies who do not have close ties to the United Kingdom or its remaining overseas territories.
Individuals with this form of nationality are British nationals and Commonwealth citizens, but not British citizens. BOCs are subject to immigration control when entering the United Kingdom and do not have the automatic right of abode there.
About 10,000 BOCs currently hold active British passports with this status.
Rights of a British Overseas Citizen
A British Overseas Citizen differs from a British Citizen. You have the following rights as a BOC:
- hold a British passport
- get consular assistance and protection from UK diplomatic posts
Unless you’re also a British citizen:
- you’re still subject to immigration controls – you do not have the automatic right to live or work in the UK
- you are not considered a UK national by the European Union (EU)
BOC Passport Applications
Since 1st January 2013 HM Passport Office assess all applications for British overseas citizen (BOC) passports as if they were first-time applications (including renewal and replacement applications).
HM Passport Office does this to make sure the customer’s identity and entitlement to a British passport are correctly established.
This means that the process to renew your passport as a BOC is slightly more complex than that of a standard UK passport renewal for a British citizen. Additional supporting documentation may be required for your unique case, and the renewal process will need to be handled with particular care to avoid the risk of rejection or delays.
Assistance with BOC Passport Applications from abroad
HM Passport Office has incredibly strict standards when it comes to issuing British passports. They need to be absolutely certain of an applicant’s identity and entitlement to a British passport before they can issue one.
This means that the process of renewing your BOC passport from abroad can be more complex, and additional supporting documentation may be required.
It’s important to be aware of this when making your application, as the risk of rejection or delays is much higher than for a standard British passport renewal.
The team at MyBritishPassport are experts in handling British overseas citizen passport applications and can provide all the help and support you need to get your passport renewed quickly and without any problems.
MyBritishPassport is a leading British passport service provider, specializing in British passport applications, renewals, and replacements for Brits living abroad.
MyBritishPassport has a proven track record of success, helping thousands of customers to get their British passports without any problems.
Some of the benefits of using MyBritishPassport’s services include:
- A dedicated British Passport consultant to assess your unique case and provide tailored advice on the best way to proceed.
- Your consultant will ensure your application is correctly completed and meets all the necessary requirements.
- MyBritishPassport will submit your application on your behalf to avoid any delays or problems.
- You will be provided with regular updates and support throughout the process until you receive your new passport.
To get started with your BOC passport application from abroad, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions: BOC Passports
Is a British Overseas Citizen the same as a British citizen?
No. Although both BOCs and British citizens are British nationals, only British citizens have the automatic right of abode in the United Kingdom.
How do I renew my BOC passport from abroad?
The process to renew your BOC passport from abroad is much simpler thanks to the services of MyBritishPassport. Using the services of a professional and experienced team will ensure your application is correctly completed, with all of the necessary documentation. This significantly reduces the risk of delays or rejection.
To get started with applying for a British passport from abroad, click here.
Conclusion.
As a British Overseas Citizen, you have the right to hold a British passport and receive consular assistance from UK diplomatic posts. However, you are subject to immigration controls and do not have the automatic right to live or work in the UK. If you wish to renew your passport, the process is slightly more complex than for a standard UK passport renewal. It’s important to be aware of this when making your application, as the risk of rejection or delays is higher than for a standard British passport renewal.
The team at MyBritishPassport are experts in handling British overseas citizen passport applications and can provide all of the help and support you need to get your passport renewed quickly and without any problems.
MyBritishPassport is a leading British passport service provider, specializing in British passport applications, renewals, and replacements for Brits living abroad.
