Types of British nationality
British protected person
You would have become a British protected person on 1 January 1983 if you:
- were a citizen or national of Brunei
- were already a British protected person
- would otherwise have been born stateless (without a country) in the UK or an overseas territory because, when you were born, one of your parents was a British protected person
In most cases you would have lost your British protected person status if:
- you gained any other nationality or citizenship
- the territory you were connected with became independent and you became a citizen of that country
Rights as a British protected person
You can:
- hold a British passport
- get consular assistance and protection 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
- are not considered a UK national by the European Union (EU)
Become a British protected person
You may be able to register as a British protected person only if all the following apply:
- you’re stateless and always have been
- you were born in the UK or an overseas territory
- your father or mother was a British protected person when you were born
Contact UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) if you think you might qualify as a British protected person.
British citizenship
You may be able to register as a British citizen in very limited circumstances if you meet certain conditions.