..
Commonwealth Immigration into Hong Kong
Mr.Gaminara
Reference..
44.
In confirmation of our telephone conversation we suggest that, with the exception of Peking on
which there will be discussion by you with Far Eastern Dept. there should be no need to ask Missions in foreign countries to inform foreign governments in advance of the public announcement of the new requirements. We have hitherto not found it necessary or desirable to speak to foreign governments in this way about changes in the immigration requirements for Commonwealth citizens travelling within the Commonwealth.
2. We suggest that the announcement of the new
arrangements involves two processes :
a. for you to send off the telegram to all Commonwealth territories and to add a note at the end to the effect that all visa officers are being notified separately of the amandments to be made to the Hong Kong visa regulations in Volume 26 of DSP (Summary Of Visa Regulations)
b. for this Department to issue instructions to Visa Officers using the text provided by Hong Kong in the draft telegram. These
instructions will ask that local carrier companies agencies etc be informed of the new rules and this will supplement whatever steps are taken in Hong Kong to make them known to those most concerned.
3. The instructions seem quite clear and the
arrangements to cover the interim period while the new requirements become known are particularly welcome and sensible.
4. We can comply with the request in para 2 of Hong Kong Saving Despatch 937 about the categories who should have gratis visas.
Ima
J.Mallett.
Migration and Visa Dept.
21.8.69.
K.271
There are two outward telegrams for thes
file.
ANG
22.8.69.