XN000022-1996-11-18 — Page 2

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Changes to be made to immigration status of British citizens

The Government is looking at a number of proposals to make changes to the immigration status of British citizens to bring it in line with that of other foreign nationals, a Government spokesman said today (Monday).

The spokesman said that in recent months, local labour unions, the British citizens themselves as well as their employers had expressed concern about possible changes in this respect.

Currently, British citizens enjoy some special immigration status because of the special relation between Hong Kong and the United Kingdom.

After an internal review, the Government has concluded that changes should be in place before the change of sovereignty to remove the differences between British citizens and other foreign nationals regarding their immigration status.

Under the new proposals, British citizens who come to Hong Kong for employment, residence or education will need to apply for a visa.

"These proposals will bring the immigration status in line with that for other foreign nationals," the spokesman said.

At present British citizens coming for visit can enjoy a visa-free period of stay of 12 months.

Under the proposals, the visa-free period will be six months. The British Government offers six monthly visa-free visit to British National (Overseas) passport holders. They will offer the same treatment to future Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders.

The spokesman said that also proposed was the removal of the right to land currently granted to British citizens who had stayed in Hong Kong continuously for seven years or more, and the special deportation arrangements.

"With the removal of the right to land, it is intended that British citizens who currently enjoy the right to land status will be given an unconditional stay status.

"Those who are eligible to acquire the right of abode under Basic Law Article 24 can apply to change their status to the right of abode status.