The
British Nationality (Hong Kong) Selection Scheme, usually known in Hong Kong as simply the
British Nationality Selection Scheme (BNSS), was a process whereby, the
Governor of Hong Kong, by
Order of
Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom in the
British Privy Council, invited certain classes of people, who were permanent residents of Hong Kong with the right of abode, under the
Hong Kong Immigration Ordinance,
Chapter 115 (L.N. 62 of 1972; originally L.N. 55 of 1971), and who were also considered British nationals under Parts II, III and IV and Part V, Section 38, of the
British Nationality Act 1981,
Chapter 61, but were not British citizens (with the right of abode in the United Kingdom) under Part I, Sections 1 and 2, of the 1981 Act, to apply to be considered and then be selected to become registered as British citizens under the
British Nationality (Hong Kong) Act 1990,
Chapter 34, by the British
Home Secretary, under the advice and the recommendation of the Governor with the consent of the British
Foreign Secretary.