DAFT LETTER
ADDRESSEE'S REFERENCE ...............................
S 536
ΤΟ
Lord Avebury
House of Lords
LONDON
SWIA OPW
FILE NUMBER IMG/81 382/387/1
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LETTER DRAFTED FOR SIGNATURE BY .........
Mr Waddington
(NAME OF SIGNATORY)
I am writing to you in response to your recent exchange with
Lord Glenarthur in the course of the debate on the Hong Kong
Order in Council when you raised the matter of multiple-visit
entry clearances for British Dependent Territories Citizens
resident in Hong Kong.
In fact such a facility is already available in Hong Kong for those
wishing to visit the United Kingdom but perhaps I should begin by
clarifying the existing provisions. The validity of multiple-visit
entry clearances is normally limited to six months. However, where
the frequency of such visits merits it, the validity may be extended
to 24 months. This facility is not limited only to business visitors,
nor is it necessary that the intended visits should all be for the
same purpose. In addition multiple-visit entry clearances valid for
four years may be issued to representatives of local firms of some
standing. This was introduced as a special concession in 1982
although I should add that it is one that is not much used. Although
the cost of a multiple-visit entry clearance has recently been
increased to £24, this is for any number of visits within its
validity; a single visit entry clearance is just £12.
H.O. EST. 112
The comparison with the United States visa arrangements is not a
fair one. It has to be borne in mind that BDTCs are not obliged to
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