TNAG-1199-FCO40-1501-Hong-Kong-immigration-legislation-1982 — Page 188

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For information (22.6.82)

NOTE FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

XCCI(82)-28-

Copy No HKK. 341

SUMMARIES OF IMMIGRATION POLICY

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G

Introduction

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On 24 November 1981, after considering memorandum XCR(81) 298, (an objection by Miss LEI Ion-pang against the decision of the Director of Immigration to refuse her permission to take employment in Hong Kong) Council "noted that Annexes B and C to the memorandum, in particular their headings," (summaries of policy for residence and employment) were either misleading or incorrect. The Governor instructed the Chief Secretary to arrange for a set of papers containing policy decisions relating to entry for residence and employment in Hong Kong to be circulated to members and subsequently be used as standard annexes to memo- randa on immigration questions".

2

In complying with this remit annexes consolidating and setting out generally the complete range of immigration. policies on entry for residence, employment, investment and education, together with details of exceptions to the general policy where such exceptions apply, have been prepared. These are at Annexes A - G and the background to and explanation of them is contained in the following paragraphs.

Background

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Hong Kong's immigration policies are designed, where possible, to further the aims and protect the interests of the Territory; due account being taken for example, of relevant demographic, economic, political and security factors.

4

Generally, prior to 1979, immigration policies on which the advice of Members has been sought over the years were virtually identically applied to all applicants for legal immigration irrespective of their country of origin, although less. strict criteria were applied to UK belongers than to Commonwealth citizens and aliens. Since 1979 a number of changes have been made especially in relation to persons from China and Macau.

G.S. 166

5

It being the essence of immigration policy, not only in Hong Kong but also in every country, to tailor policy country-by-country in response to the particular problems encountered with each, stricter criteria were applied from 1978 on the advice of Members to persons from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia to prevent the potentially substantial increase in population following the fall of South Vietnam.

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