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British Protectorates Flag  British Protectorates

During the early and middle 20th century, Britain ruled over nearly a third of the world's peoples. One form of this was through her collection of British Protectorates.

Click here for more information on how British Nationality can be gained.

Click here for more information on the status of a British Protected Person (based on birth in a British Protectorate).

At various times, the United Kingdom administered these Protectorates:

Click here for more information on the status of a British Protected Person (based on birth in a British Protectorate).

HOW CAN UK NATIONALITY ARISE?

Birth (and what was could loosely be described as Citizenship) in a British Protectorate would probably have given rise to Citizenship of the UK and Colonies (known as CUKC and gave rise to what was the old form of what is now a "British Passport") or as a "British Protected Person" (BPPs). At the point when the Colony became independent, these citizens either took on nationality of the newly formed independent country, or remained as CUKCs or BPPs. 

The British Nationality Act 1981 came into force on 1 January 1983, and divided Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKCs) into three categories:

1. British Citizens

CUKCs with the Right of Abode in the United Kingdom and Islands (i.e. the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) by virtue of a close connection therewith (e.g. by birth or descent from a person born in the United Kingdom and Islands) became British Citizens.

2. British Dependent Territories Citizens

CUKCs with a close connection with one of the United Kingdom's Dependent Territories became British Dependent Territories citizens (BDTCs). It was possible for a person to acquire British citizenship and BDTC at the same time. For example, a person born in Bermuda before 1983 with a parent born in the United Kingdom would have acquired both nationalities.

3. British Overseas Citizens

All other CUKCs became British Overseas Citizens.

  On 18.02.1965 it became part of the Gambia, a newly formed Independent country.