processing time for visit visas.
Applications are basically
sifted at the application window and issue of authority is by IOS at Tier 1 and 2. The authority is then approved by an SIO and refusals are passed to CIOS. There is no computerisation at this stage and there appears to be a cumbersome system of minuting and proforma action papers on each file. The system is labour-intensive. Records are currently kept so that HKID can complete MVD's annual return. They commented that completion of the return and collation of the figures take a long time and if it is not much use to us they would like to stop doing it. 30 staff currently handle 24,000 applications: this is considerably more than MVD could provide under MIS.
Recommendation: MVD to consider if HKID need to complete
full annual statistical returns.
Action: MVD.
Transfer of Work to CG
9.
HKID have undertaken a study on the transfer of work to the Consulate General in the run up to 1997 and this is attached at Annex 2. This covers all visa, nationality, consular and passport responsibilities. HKID intend to transfer visa work, naturalisation and registration and consular assistance cases to the future Consulate General in April 1996. (I understand the building will not be ready for occupancy until June 96.) Passport work for the UK, Commonwealth and other British passports will be transferred in November 1996 followed by HKBDTC and BN (0) passport work in April 1997. The reason for the 97 transfer of the latter is that the BN (0) conversion exercise is due to finish in March 1997 (N.B. this date has not yet been published nor agreed by the HK Privy Council and should therefore not be disclosed at this time).
10. HKID are planning to transfer the work to the Consulate General from April 96 on the programme detailed in Annex 2. This will mean that because of the 3 month period needed to transfer the micro records the Consular and Entry Clearance