British subject
The term "British subject" has several different meanings depending on the time period. Before 1949, it referred to almost all subjects of the British Empire (including the United Kingdom, Dominions, and colonies, but excluding protectorates and protected states). Between 1949 and 1983, the term was synonymous with Commonwealth citizen. Currently, it refers to people possessing a class of British nationality largely granted under limited circumstances to those connected with Ireland or British India born before 1949. Individuals with this nationality are British nationals and Commonwealth citizens, but not British citizens.
The status under the current definition does not automatically grant the holder right of abode in the United Kingdom but most British subjects do have this entitlement. About 32,400 British subjects hold active British passports with this status and enjoy consular protection when travelling abroad; fewer than 800 do not have right of abode in the UK.
Nationals of this class without right of abode are subject to immigration controls when entering the UK. If they hold no other citizenship, British subjects without right of abode in the UK are effectively stateless, as they are not guaranteed the right to enter the country in which they are nationals.
Rights and privileges[edit]
British subjects who do not have right of abode in the United Kingdom are exempted from obtaining a visa or entry certificate when visiting the UK for less than six months.[46] When travelling in other countries, they may seek British consular protection.[47] British subjects are not considered foreign nationals when residing in the UK and are entitled to certain rights as Commonwealth citizens.[36] These include exemption from registration with local police,[48] voting eligibility in UK elections,[49] and the ability to enlist in the British Armed Forces.[50] British subjects are also eligible to serve in all Civil Service posts,[51] be granted British honours, receive peerages, and sit in the House of Lords.[36] If given indefinite leave to remain (ILR), they are eligible to stand for election to the House of Commons[52] and local government.[53][54][55] British subjects only have right of abode in the UK if they were born to at least one British subject parent who themself was born in the UK or, if they are female, were married to a person with right of abode before 1983.[56] Almost every person who still retains British subject status has UK right of abode. About 32,400 people hold active British passports with the status, and fewer than 800 do not have right of abode.[57]
All British subjects may become British citizens by registration, rather than naturalisation, after residing in the United Kingdom for more than five years and possessing either right of abode or ILR for more than one year. Registration in this way confers citizenship otherwise than by descent, meaning that children born outside of the UK to those successfully registered will be British citizens by descent.[44] British subjects with right of abode may also register for citizenship without residence requirements by virtue of their birth to a parent born in the UK. Applicants who successfully register in this way become British citizens by descent and cannot pass citizenship to their children born outside of the UK.[58] Individuals who become British citizens would automatically lose British subject status if they are not connected with Ireland. Otherwise, British subjects may also be British citizens simultaneously.[44] British subjects who do not hold and have not lost any other nationality on or after 4 July 2002 are entitled to register as British citizens.[59]
In Australia, British subjects who were enrolled to vote before 26 January 1984 retain that right in elections and referendums despite the introduction of Australian citizenship requirements since then.[60] Additionally, voting remains compulsory even if their enrollment had lapsed.[60]