Written question asked by Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench) on Friday, 16 April 2021, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Friday, 30 April 2021. It was answered by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative) on Thursday, 29 April 2021 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Germany: British National (Overseas)

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of reports that officials in Germany have declined to recognise the status of British National (Overseas) passport holders; and what steps they intend to take to ensure the status of the passport is recognised by (1) the authorities in Germany, and (2) the authorities in other countries.

Answer: We are aware that the Hong Kong SAR Government recently wrote to several foreign Consulates urging them not to accept BN(O) passports for visa applications. The Hong Kong Government has no authority to dictate which passports foreign governments recognise as valid. We will continue to issue BN(O) passports, which remain valid travel documents. We are in contact with relevant Government authorities, including the German authorities, on this issue.

Secondary information