British Nationality Act 1981 - Definition

The British Nationality Act 1981 was an Act of Parliament passed by the British Parliament. The purpose of the Act was in part to reclassify British Dependent Territory citizens and restrict their right to enter and stay in the United Kingdom.

The passing of this act is widely believed to be a precursor to the Falklands War, as the Argentines interpreted it as disengagement, and believed that the British were willing to back away if the islands were invaded. Full UK citizenship was restored to Falkland Islanders by British Nationality Act 1983.

The Act has been superseded by the British Overseas Territories Act 2002 which granted full British citizenship to all British overseas territories including the Falkland Islands.