VISA FREE TRAVEL FOR HONG KONG PEOPLE
What action has HMG taken to lobby for a reversal of the
Spanish decision to require visas for BDTCs and BNOs visiting
Spain?
Since learning of the Spanish decision, we have made
representations on behalf of Hong Kong to the Spanish
authorities at senior level. Lobbying has been carried out in Hong Kong, London, Madrid and Brussels.
Now that the Spanish have imposed a visa regime, is it
likely that other European countries who are members of the
Schengen Convention will follow suit?
We do not anticipate such developments.
We have
established that there are no plans at present for a common approach among the Schengen Convention signatories
towards visas for Hong Kong. It is our understanding that
BDTCS and BN (0)s will continue to enjoy visa free travel to Belgium, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Italy and Greece.
What quarantee do we have that visa free travel to these and
other countries will continue?
The UK Government will continue to lobby on behalf of Hong
Kong and to explain to partners the sound case for continuing the visa free arrangements which have worked well in the
past for these Hong Kong visitors.
What are you doing to correct misapprehension that Hong Kong
is a transit point for illegal immigration to Europe from PRC?
Hong Kong's effective and efficiently implemented immigration
controls speak for themselves. In any case, this question
quite separate from that of access for British passport
holders.
brief.legco.BB
SLM