(a)
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XCC(69)29
persons who have a substantial link with the Colony on account of prior personal residence in Hong Kong or close business connections;
(b)
those joining certain relatives in the Colony (as specified in the Annex);
(c)
persons who the Director of Immigration is satisfied will make a substantial contribution to the economy of the Colony.
Proposed criteria for Commonwealth citizens - for employment
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As a matter of general policy it is felt that restrictions upon Commonwealth immigrants should, if anything, be rather less strict than they are in respect of aliens, What is now proposed is that restrictions upon the entry of Commcnwealth citizens for employment should be applied only to unskilled workers and to those without any visible means of support. This would replace the criterion at present applicable to aliens (paragraph 6(a) above) which requires the positive possession of "some special skill or knowledge not readily available in Hong Kong".
Proposed criteria for Commonwealth citizens for residence
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It is proposed that the existing policy on the entry of aliens for residence (paragraph 7) should be applied to Commonwealth citizens. This would, of course, mean that once a mother or father has entered the Colony their unmarried sons and daughters under the age of 21 and certain other relatives (see the Annex) can normally follow.
Method of Control
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As regards the method of control, it is thought preferable to extend the existing system applied to aliens, i.e. by requiring an immigrant from the Commonwealth to possess an entry visa for residence or for employment in the Colony. If permission is granted for entry for employment, it would not be proposed to maintain any check on the type of work on which the person concerned is in fact employed, i.e. having once entered, he and his family would be free to undertake such employment as they can find here. A system of work permits, as in force in some other countries, which would involve keeping a track of the place and nature of employment of immigrants would be unduly restrictive and ponderous. It would require considerable numbers of additional staff and neither the expense nor degree of control inherent in such a system is considered to be warranted in present circumstances.
Legislation
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A Commonwealth immigrant who does not possess an entry visa would, unless a bona fide tourist, be refused permission to land under section 11(1)(e) of the Immigration (Control and Offences)
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