British subject

The term "British subject" has several different meanings depending on the period. Before 1949, it referred to almost all people in 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 the vast majority of British subjects do have this entitlement. As of 2025, about 17,900 British subjects hold valid British passports with this status and enjoy consular protection when travelling abroad; about 2,000 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.

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