TNAG-0910-FCO40-1120-Policy-on-visas-and-entry-certificates-in-Hong-Kong-1979 — Page 12

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GVV 341/498/1

Reference

29.4

LIKK 345 Williamson J 29

RECEIVED BY PASTRY NO. 51

Mr Barnett Rhodesia Department.

30 NOV 1979

DESK OFFICER

INDEX

PA

RECISTRY Action Taken

29/11

ENTRY INTO RHODESIA

No

30/11

1. I attach a copy of an extract from DSP Volume 52 which instructs Visa Officers to refer any visa applications for travel to Rhodesia. The applications are processed in MVD in accordance with the Order Book instructions also attached.

2. The instructions were formulated in 1965 by the Departments then concerned in the Foreign Office and Commonwealth Relations Office. The responsibility would now presumably rest with Rhodesia

Department.

3. If Rhodesia eventually becomes an independent country within the Commonwealth and we offer to act for them in consular (including visa) matters in foreign countries where they are not represented, we will have to ask the new Rhodesian Government for new DSP 52

instructions.

4.

In the meantime, during the proposed rule by a British Governor, should we continue to act in accordance with the present DSP 52 and MVD Order Book instructions? I assume you would wish to be consulted in the cases which would normally be refused?

ENTRY OF RHODESIANS INTO DEPENDENT TERRITORIES

5. Instructions on entry requirements for the Dependent Territories appear in DSP 52. Only Hong Kong includes specific instructions on applications from Rhodesian passport holders, ie all applications have to be referred to Hong Kong and visas, if approved, have to be issued on Declarations of Identity not the Rhodesian passports.

6.

We have seen FCO telegram no 388 of 17 November to Dar-Es-Salaam and we note that, on a return to legality, Rhodesian passports will be valid for travel to the Dependent Territories. Unless you see objection, we will ask Hong Kong to consider an appropriate amend- ment to their DSP 52 instructions in due course. It is not clear which posts will have received FCO telegram no 388 and separate guidance to all visa issuing posts seems desirable.

ENTRY OF RHODESIANS INTO COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES

7. DSP 52 also gives the entry requirements of the independent Commonwealth countries for which we act in foreign countries where they are not represented. The requirements vary from country to country. Some do not mention holders of Rhodesian passports, others require all visa applications from Rhodesians (and sometimes

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