Road Town, Tortola - Ten persons were registered as British citizens and one received Naturalisation as a British citizen last week at a ceremony presided over by Registrar-General, Mrs. Stephanie Benn at Government House.
His Excellency the Governor, David Pearey in his remarks told the new citizens, “By reaching and obtaining British Citizenship you have exercised the right you enjoy as British Overseas Territory Citizens under the 2002 legislation.”
The Governor added, “Though a right, it is nonetheless an important decision you have taken to seek British Citizenship by registration, and it is proper that the fulfilment of that process should be marked in a formal way. The process, and the ceremony at the end of it, is a matter to which United Kingdom Ministers attach great importance. They hold that the taking of a new nationality is a matter of great significance for any individual.”
The Governor concluded, “British law now requires that those who acquire British Nationality in this way must not only demonstrate a commitment to the United Kingdom, but also a basic knowledge of its history, institutions and language.”
The Registrar General expressed her congratulations to the new citizens and explained some of the rights and privileges they are entitled to as British citizens, such as the right to reside in the United Kingdom (UK) and the freedom to travel to the UK for purposes of study, work and leisure without prior permission.
Mrs. Benn also told the citizens they are entitled to, “Freedom of movement, residence and the opportunity to work without a work permit in the United Kingdom and European Union Economic Area Member States, and the right to vote in the UK providing the normal residence and immigration requirements are met.”
As a result of the British Overseas Territories Act of 2002, British citizenship was extended to all BOT citizens. Persons naturalised as BOT citizens following the enactment of the Act on May 21, 2002, do not automatically become British citizens but are eligible to register as British citizens.
The extension of British citizenship to BOT citizens was part of the UK Government’s 1999 White Paper entitled Partnership for Progress and Prosperity, which outlined UK policy in respect of the overseas territories.
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