United Kingdom - flag United Kingdom - Info - British Citizenship and Papua New Guinea

A birth in Papua New Guinea (or any of the territories that make up Papua New Guinea in the modern day) does not normally give rights to British nationality. However, where a parent, grandparent or great grandfather (on either side of the family) was born in the UK, Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, it is possible to have claims to British or Irish citizenship in the modern day.

New Guinea

From 17.12.1920 until 12.12.1946, New Guinea was an Australian mandated territory in which the Crown exercised extra-territorial jurisdiction (known as ETJ). Between 13.12.1946 and 15.09.1975, it was an Australian Trust Territory in which the Crown exercised ETJ. From 16.09.1975 until 30.01.1980 (after independence), it was a foreign country known as Papua New Guinea. From 31.01.1980 until the present day, it was an independent Commonwealth country.

Papua

From 1888 until 1906, Papua was part of the Crown’s Dominions. Thereafter, it was part of Australia until it combined with New Guinea on 15.09.1975 to form Papua New Guinea. From 16.09.1975 until 30.01.1980 (after independence), it was a foreign country known as Papua New Guinea. From 31.01.1980 until the present day, it was an independent Commonwealth country.

Bougainville and Buka fell under New Guinea for British nationality purposes but now form part of modern day Papua New Guinea.

The most common routes to British nationality for those with a family member born in Australia are as follows:

Born in New Guinea

Parent born in New Guinea

Born to a British Father

Born to a British Mother

UK-Born Paternal Grandfather

Crown Service

Woman Married to British Husband

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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.

WhatPassport.com is a subsidiary of Sable International.

Sable International offers a range of services relating to UK and Australian immigration. For over 20 years, we have been helping people with their UK and Australian visa applications. We assist with applications for Ancestry visas, spouse visas, work visas, Tier 1 visas, UK working holiday visas, UK dependant visas, Tier 4 visas, UK Visitor visas, sponsorship visas or UK permanent residency or indefinite leave to remain. We also specialise in UK visa extensions. If you’ve overstayed your visa, our Overstayer Status Trace service can assist to regularise your visa status.