XN000022-1995-04-26 — Page 39

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

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issue and publicise guidelines for those applying for employment or commercial visas after their arrival in Hong Kong;

issue and publicise clearer guidelines on the documentation required at the outset of an application, so that an applicant does not need to make several trips back to the Department to submit documents not originally requested;

issue and publicise more detailed instructions for completing application forms, including glossaries of terms used therein; and

take steps to shorten the lengthy queues faced by applicants?

Reply:

Mr President,

Procedures for the application for visas for employment and investment are designed to be as simple and straightforward as possible. Information pamphlets and application forms are available at service outlets of the Immigration Department, District Offices and British visa posts overseas. Guidance notes attached to visa application forms distributed in Hong Kong set out in detail the supporting documents needed and highlight areas requiring special attention. Public enquiries can be made at the Immigration Department's Information Office, through the Department's 24-hour enquiry hotline (tel. no. 2824 6111) or at British visa posts overseas.

We are committed to providing an efficient and courteous service to the public. To this end, we continue our efforts to improve and simplify visa application procedures. For example, we introduced in October last year a dual-track system where applicants seeking to enter Hong Kong for employment, investment, training, residence or education may either submit their visa applications to their nearest British visa post or send them to the Immigration Department, either directly or through their local sponsors. The direct application facility reduces normal processing time by up to two weeks.

As regards the additional measures referred to in the Honourable Member's question: