Aden Protectorates (now part of Yemen)

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Can you claim British Nationality?

Getting a British passport might be easier than you think. Thanks to the UK's historical laws and agreements with former territories, you may qualify for British nationality depending on where you, your parents and grandparents were born.

Aden Protectorate

You could be eligible for British citizenship if you were:

  • Born to a parent (a father or mother) who was born in the UK before 1983.
  • Born before 1983 to a parent who was born after 1949 – as long as that parent a) was a British Citizen, or b) had a parent born in the UK.
  • Born after 1948, and your parents were married before 1949 and your paternal grandfather (your dad’s dad) was born in the UK.

There are hundreds of other ways to qualify. As a general rule, if you were born in a country that is different to either parent or any of your grandparents, or you have a connection back to the UK, Ireland or a former British Territory, then you might have a claim.

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We are the world’s leading experts in UK immigration and nationality. For over 22 years, we have been helping thousands of people navigate the complex path to British citizenship.

Some claims to British nationality are relatively straightforward and can be completed quickly if you meet the above requirements. Other claims can be extremely complex and can only be determined by researching old nationality laws.

Complete our nationality assessment

To find out whether you or your children might have a claim, take a couple of moments to complete our FREE online passport assessment.
 

Residents and those born in Aden (either the Port of Aden - what was known as the Aden Colony - or the Aden Protectorates) had several ways in which to claim British Nationality. These are:

  • A British or UK-born mother or father
  • Not having gained nationality of Yemen on Independence Day
  • A grandparent born in the UK
  • A parent or grandparent born outside of Yemen
  • A parent or grandparent holding a nationality other than Yemeni

The Independence Day arrangements on 30.11.1967 also give rise to many Aden residents gaining one of the various forms of British Nationality. As a general rule, those born in the Aden Protectorates (Eastern or Western) would have held British Protected Person (BPP) status. This status would have been lost if the new Yemen constitution granted nationality. If not, then this BPP status would have been maintained and, in some cases, this can be upgraded to full British Nationality.

Those born in the Aden Colony would have held Citizen of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKC) status. This status would have been lost if the new Yemen constitution granted nationality. If not, then British Overseas Citizen (BOC) status would have been achieved and, in some cases, this can be upgraded to full British Nationality.

For these and other forms of British Nationality available to Aden residents, those born in Aden or Yemeni nationals, click on British Citizenship.

STATUS OF THE YEMEN (previously Aden)

Aden Colony (including Kuria Muria and Perim Islands)

From 1839 until 31.12.1948, the Aden Colony formed part of the British Crown Dominions. The Kuria Muria Islands and Perim Islands joined in 1854 and 1957 respectively.

Between 01.01.1949 and 17.01.1963, the colony formed part of the UK and Colonies.

From 18.01.1963 to 29.11.1967, it fell within the UK and Colonies as the Federation (but excluded the Kuria Muria and Perim Islands).

Click here for more information on the status of Citizen of the United Kingdom & Colonies (CUKC), a status achieved by birth in the Colony.

Aden Protectorate

Western Aden and Eastern Aden (from 1840 and 1882 respectively) were British Protectorates up until 29.11.1967 (although known as the Southern Arabian Protectorate between 18.01.1963 and 29.11.1967).

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

Kamaran

From 1871 until 31.12.1953, the British crown exercised Extra Territorial Jurisdiction. Between 01.01.1954 and 29.11.1967, Kamaran was a British Protectorate.

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

Yemen

Yemen as created by merge of the Aden Colony, the Aden Protectorates and Kamaran on 30.11.1967.

It remained a foreign country since that date. It excludes the Kuria Muria Islands.

 

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Ask Philip Gamble whether you (or your children) have a claim to British nationality.

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Learn more about these routes to British Nationality:

WhatPassport.com is a specialist UK Nationality and British Citizenship site offering an online search and assessment. Claims to hold a British Passport can be complex and the site offers a quick, simple search to give you the answers. While many people qualify for the UK Ancestry Visa based on holding a Commonwealth passport with a UK born grandmother or grandfather, we have found that if you have a grandparent born in the UK, or if your mother is British or your father is British, then there are several scenarios where you can claim British Nationality and the right to hold a British Passport. This stems from Britain’s collection of British Colonies, British Protectorates and British Protected States in the middle of last century and the Nationality rules concerning what are now the countries of the Commonwealth.

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