TNAG-1557-FCO40-2121-Future-of-Hong-Kong-nationality-and-passports-Hong-Kong-(Br-1986 — Page 34

13.

ENDORSEMENTS IN BN(0) PASSPORTS TO INDICATE THAT THE HOLDER

DOES NOT REQUIRE ENTRY CLEARANCE TO VISIT THE UNITED KINGDOM

14.

It has been suggested that an endorsement should be entered in BN (0) passports

to make it clear that the holder does not require entry clearance to visit the

United Kingdom [to enhance the acceptability of the passport to third countries].

We consider this proposal to be misconceived in implying that visit entry

clearance is a requirement rather than a facility. In fact it is a facility

available to those who wish to ensure their admission to the United Kingdom

before they set off on a visit to this country. It would be wrong to discourage

people from making use of this facility. Furthermore, it would lead individuals

to the mistaken belief that there could be no question of their being turned back

at the port of entry. Visitors arriving at a port of entry must satisfy the

immigration officer that they qualify for admission under the Immigration Rules.

Any endorsement which might be taken as a general or individual exemption from

this requirement would be misleading and would create confusion.

[If pressed] The objective of ensuring the acceptability of BN (0) passports

generally will be pursued within the context of discussions with third countries.

However, we will consider whether some other form of

• documentation

might provide the reassurance that is sought from the proposed endorsement.

ENTRY CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR BN(0)s

The entry clearance requirements for BN (0)s will be precisely the same as those

currently applying to BDTCs. Those coming to this country for settlement or in a

category leading to settlement (eg for marriage, for employment or business, or

as persons of independent means) require prior entry clearance. Those coming for

temporary purposes such as visitors or students do not require an entry clearance but they may obtain this in advance if they wish to ensure their admission before

they set out.

There is no intention of imposing a mandatory entry clearance requirement on

those coming to this country for temporary purposes.

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