BOCs are subject to immigration control when entering the United Kingdom and do not have the automatic right of abode there or in any British overseas territory.
This nationality gives its holders a limited set of rights when they are resident in the United Kingdom, conferring eligibility to vote, to obtain citizenship under a simplified process, and to serve in public office or non-reserved government positions.
Citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies (CUKCs) initially held an automatic right to enter and live in the UK.
[2] This entitlement was given to all British subjects, which included CUKCs and citizens of independent countries in the Commonwealth of Nations,[3] as part of a wider initiative to preserve close relationships with the white-majority Dominions (Australia, Canada and New Zealand) and white-dominated South Africa and Southern Rhodesia, and to moderate nationalist attitudes within the Commonwealth.
[13] The creation of different British nationality classes with disparities in United Kingdom residency rights drew criticism for creating what was seen as a two-tier system.
The vast majority of people who were classified as British citizens in 1983 were white, while those assigned BDTC or BOC status were predominantly Asian.
[15] As former East African colonies gained independence, aggressive Africanisation policies and an increasingly discriminatory environment in the post-colonial countries against the Asian population caused many among them to seek migration to Britain.
[17] A "special quota voucher scheme" was introduced in 1968 to annually admit a small number of CUKCs (and later BOCs), along with their dependents, who held no other nationality and who were pressured to leave their countries of residence.
The system was abolished in 2002,[18] when Parliament granted remaining BOCs who held no other nationality the right to register as full British citizens.
Consequently, when Malaya merged with North Borneo, Sarawak, and Singapore to form Malaysia in 1963, CUKC status was not rescinded from individuals already holding Malayan citizenship.
When Aden became part of the newly independent South Yemen in 1967, individuals who were not of Arab ancestry did not acquire Yemeni citizenship and remained CUKCs.
[32] British Overseas citizenship can be relinquished by a declaration made to the Home Secretary, provided that an individual already possesses or intends to acquire another nationality.
[36][37] British Overseas citizens are exempted from obtaining a visa or entry certificate when visiting the United Kingdom for less than six months.
[41] These include exemption from registration with local police,[42] voting eligibility in UK elections,[43] and the ability to enlist in the British Armed Forces.
[55] The Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 allowed these individuals to register as British citizens, after which statelessness was generally resolved for people who were solely BOCs.