XN000022-1992-06-06 — Page 5

SATURDAY, JUNE 6, 1992

APPLY FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENT NOW TO AVOID RUSH

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ANYONE INTENDING TO TRAVEL ABROAD DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS SHOULD APPLY FOR TRAVEL DOCUMENT NOW.

A

SPOKESMAN FOR THE

(SATURDAY):

IMMIGRATION

DEPARTMENT SAID TODAY

"THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE TRAVELLING OUTSIDE HONG KONG WILL IN NORMAL CAGE GREATLY INCREASE DURING THIS TIME OF THE YEAR. IN ORDER TO AVOID LAST MINUTE RUSH, PEOPLE ARE ADVISED TO APPLY FOR PASSPORT AND CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE DATE ON WHICH THEY INTEND TO TRAVEL.

FOR FIRST-TIME APPLICATIONS, IT MAY REQUIRE 20 WORKING DAYS (1.E. ABOUT FOUR WEEKS) TO ISSUE A BRITISH HONG KONG PASSPORT AND 15 WORKING DAYS (I.E. ABOUT THREE WEEKS) TO ISSUE A HONG KONG CERTIFICATE OF IDENTITY.

OR

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO ARE IN HONG KONG AND ARE AGED 18 OVER MAY SEND THEIR APPLICATIONS BY POST FOR REPLACEMENT OF THEIR HONG KONG BRITISH DEPENDENT TERRITORIES CITIZEN PASSPORTS, BRITISH NATIONAL (OVERSEAS) PASSPORTS OR HONG KONG CERTIFICATES OF IDENTITY.

"FOR APPLICATIONS MADE BY POST OR DEPOSITED IN A DROP-IN BOX AT OUR HEADQUARTERS, IT WILI. NORMALLY TAKE 10 WORKING DAYS FROM THE DATE OF RECEIPT OF APPLICATION TO ISSUE A NEW PASSPORT OR CERTIFICATE OF

IDENTITY.

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FOR APPLICATIONS DEPOSITED IN A DROP-IN BOX AT AN IMMIGRATION BRANCH OFFICE, IT WILL TAKE ABOUT 15 WORKING DAYS.

APPLICANTS WILL BE INFORMED BY LETTER OF THE DATE AND OFFICE TO COLLECT THEIR NEW TRAYFL DOCUMENTS.

THOSE WHO WISH TO MAKE USE OF THESE NEW SERVICES MAY CALL THE INFORMATION OFFICE ON TEL. 824 6111 FOR FURTHER DETAILS.

RE-ENTRY PERMIT AND DOCUMENT OF IDENTITY FOR VISA PURPOSES NORMALLY ISSUED ON THE SAME DAY BUT DELAY IS LIKELY IF THERE ARE MANY APPLICANTS COMING AT THE SAME TIME, FOR EXAMPLE, ON SATURDAY WHICH WE COULD ONLY PROVIDE A LIMITED SERVICE WITH HALF STRENGTH.

ARE TOO IN

"THE PERIOD BEFORE THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS IS ONE OF THE BUSJEST TIME OF THE YEAR. BY APPLYING EARLY, IT WILL NOT ONLY SPREAD THE WORKLOAD OF THE DEPARTMENT BUT WILL ALSO GIVE APPLICANTS EXTRA TIME TO MEET ANY FURTHER VISA PROCESSING REQUIREMENTS WHERE NECESSARY," THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

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