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Immigration status of British citizens
The Government announced today (Thursday) that administrative changes to bring the immigration status of British citizens in line with that of other foreign nationals will be implemented from April 1 ahead of the legislative package.
Under the new administrative measures, British citizens may visit Hong Kong visa-free for up to six months. Previously British citizens entering Hong Kong as visitors or for employment, investment, study or otherwise for settlement, were allowed to land and remain in Hong Kong for 12 months without being subject to any other condition of stay.
In addition, if British citizens want to work, study or settle in Hong Kong, they will have to obtain a visa in the same way as other foreign nationals, and the same criteria for approval will apply.
An Immigration Department spokesman said that it was the Government's intention to remove other rights enjoyed exclusively by British citizens in the Immigration Ordinance. This would be a separate exercise, requiring legislation.
"These include the right to land and the special deportation and removal arrangements. The proposed changes will be implemented as soon as the Bill is enacted," he said.
He explained further that by implementing the administrative measures first and deferring the legislative amendments which involved the right to land question until a later stage when the right of abode arrangements become clearer should be a move that would cause less confusion to the British citizens.
As some British citizens may already have made firm arrangements for travel to Hong Kong before the announcement of the new rules, those arriving to work, study or settle in Hong Kong will be granted a period of stay of six months as visitors, during which time they will be able to apply for a change of status.
British citizens who have resided in Hong Kong for seven years and acquired the right to land can continue to enter and remain in Hong Kong without any restrictions as at present.
In order to avoid disruption to British citizens already in Hong Kong, the following transitional arrangement will be implemented:
British citizens who have not yet completed seven years of residence in Hong Kong but have a valid limit of stay can continue to work, study or live in Hong Kong until their current limit of stay expires. There is no need for them to apply for a visa in the meantime.
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