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entry clearances to settle in the UK on the basis of
marriage to British citizens resident in Hong Kong, and
only 6 applications were refused.
During the Second Reading of the British Nationality
(Hong Kong) Bill on 19 April, the Home Secretary gave a
further assurance that the widow or widower of a British
citizen who was resident in Hong Kong at the time of his
or her death would be allowed to settle in the UK at any
time as if coming here as the spouse of a British citizen. To benefit from this assurance, the widow or
widower must still be resident in Hong Kong and not have
remarried.
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We do, however, understand the concern of
expatriates that their spouses should be able to obtain
some evidence of their status and an assurance that if
they decided to come to the United Kingdom an application
for the necessary entry clearance would be processed
speedily. As Lord Ferrers announced in the house of
Lords on 23 July, we are therefore making arrangements whereby the spouse of a British citizen resident in Hong Kong may approach the Hong Kong Immigration Department
who act for us in entry clearance matters with evidence
of the marriage. The details will be noted in a register
of non-British citizen spouses of British citizens and the spouse will be given a formal letter issued on behalf of the Home Secretary confirming that the holder is married to a British citizen. The letter will explain that the spouse is eligible to settle in the United Kingdom provided that the requirements of the Immigration
Rules are met. It will also include an assurance that a
later application for entry clearance will be given priority treatment in view of the information which has already been noted. The Home Office are still finalising