If you are not already a British national (overseas), you cannot apply to become one. But if you have a connection with a British overseas territory, you may be a British citizen, British overseas territories citizen or British overseas citizen. See British overseas territories citizens.

A person who was a British overseas territories citizen by connection with Hong Kong was able to register as a British national (overseas) before 1 July 1997.

On 30 June 1997, when sovereignty of Hong Kong returned to China, British overseas territories citizens lost that citizenship if they were connected only with Hong Kong. Special rules were introduced in 1986 to allow British overseas territories citizens from Hong Kong to acquire the new status of British (national) overseas.

British overseas territories citizens from Hong Kong who did not register as British nationals (overseas) and had no other nationality or citizenship on 30 June 1997 became British overseas citizens on 1 July 1997.