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Changes to British citizens' immigration status proposed
The Government is seeking legislative amendments and administrative changes in order to bring the immigration status of British citizens in line with that of other foreign nationals, a Government spokesman announced today (Thursday).
The Immigration (Amendment) Bill 1997, to be gazetted tomorrow (Friday), is expected to be introduced into the Legislative Council on February 19.
"Subject to its enactment, the changes will be effective on April 1 this year together with the new administrative measures," the spokesman said.
He said that in recent months, local labour groups, the British citizens themselves as well as their employers had expressed concern about possible changes to the immigration status of British citizens.
"Currently, British citizens enjoy some special immigration status because of the special relationship between Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.
"After an internal review, the Government concluded that changes should be in place before the transfer of sovereignty to remove any differences in the immigration status of British citizens and other foreign nationals," he said.
One of the proposed changes is to require British citizens to apply for visa, just like other foreign nationals, when they come to Hong Kong for employment, study or settlement or to establish or join in a business.
This can be done administratively with the Director of Immigration issuing an order to withdraw the visa exemptions currently enjoyed by British citizens.
Another proposal, which is also an administrative measure, is to grant British citizens coming for visit a visa-free period of stay of six months, as compared with the present visa-free period of 12 months.
"The British Government currently offers six-month visa-free visit to British National (Overseas) passport holders and will offer the same treatment to future Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passport holders," the spokesman explained.
As for legislative changes to be effected through the Bill, one proposal is to remove the right to land in Hong Kong enjoyed by British citizens who had lived here continuously for seven years or more.