TNAG-0354-FCO40-390-Legislation-for-immigration-and-deportation-in-Hong-Kong-1972 — Page 116

CONFIDENT!

Immigration of United Kingdom Citizens into Hong Kong - Draft circular saving telegram to British Missions in all Foreign and Commonwealth Countries, to Governors and Administrators of Dependent Territories, and to the British

Government Representative Countries

The Government of Hong Kong has decided to convey the right to enter Hong Kong to persons wholly or partly of Chinese race who have been ordinarily resident in Hong Kong on a continuous basis for at least seven years. Such persons will not therefore require a visa to enter Hong Kong. The following instructions will therefore apply from 1st April, 1972. The "Summary of Visa Regulations" will be amended as soon as possible.

Applications from holders of Hong Kong travel documents

2.

Some holders of Hong Kong travel documents who have lived in Hong Kong for 7 years or more might enquire about their rights under this new provision. If they hold a valid Hong Kong travel document they should be advised that the document already conveys a right to land in Hong Kong, and nothing further is required.

3.

If, however, the travel document has expired and is not renewable, and no other travel document is held, the applicant should be instructed to make application for the issue of a fresh document on the basis that he has a right to land in Hong Kong, and the application referred to the Director of Immigration, Hong Kong, for decision (see para. 6).

Applications from holders of other travel documents

4.

Persons holding travel documents not issued by the Hong Kong Government wishing to exercise a right to land in Hong Kong should be requested to furnish proof to substantiate their claim to have ordinarily resided in Hong Kong on a continuous basis for seven years and, where appropriate, that they are wholly or partly of Chinese race. The application must then be forwarded to the Director of Immigration, Hong Kong, for his decision (see paragraph 6).

Proof of Residence in Hong Kong

5.

Applicants themselves will usually be the best judge of what proof to produce to show that they have resided continuously in Hong Kong

CONF

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