Currently, there are the following classifications of British nationals. British Citizen
This status is generally acquired through connections with the United Kingdom, the Channel Islands, and the Isle of Man (the so-called "United Kingdom and Islands"). Under the Immigration Act 1971, British and colonial citizens who acquired the right of abode through connections with the British Islands mostly became British citizens after January 1, 1983.
British citizens are the most common form of British nationality and are the only ones who automatically possess the right of abode in the UK.
British Overseas Territories Citizens
British Overseas Territories citizens (BOTC, formerly known as British Dependent Territories citizenship BDTC)
British Overseas Territories citizens are individuals connected to British Overseas Territories. Most of these individuals now also hold British citizenship due to the British Overseas Territories Act 2002. It is possible to hold both British citizenship and British Overseas Territories citizenship simultaneously.
British Overseas Citizens
British Overseas citizens (BOC)
British Overseas citizens are former British and colonial citizens who are not eligible to acquire British citizenship or citizenship of British territories. Most of them acquired British and colonial citizenship due to connections with former British colonies (such as Malaysia and Kenya).
