TNAG-2198-FCO40-3152-Hong-Kong-nationality-spouses-and-widows-of-British-expatria-1990 — Page 35

Douglas French Esq MP

House of Commons

LONDON

SW1A OAA

Thank you for your letter of 18 July to Francis Maude

enclosing one from Mr David Buckley of D2 Fiona Garden,

17 Miles, Castle Peak Road, New Territories, Hong Kong about the immigration and nationality position of the spouses of British citizens resident in Hong Kong.

Spouses of British citizens in Hong Kong already have

the assurance that, if the family were to wish to leave the

territory they would have no difficulty in entering the United Kingdom. Under the Immigration Rules the spouse of a British citizen is entitled to accompany him or her to the United Kingdom for settlement provided that:

(i) the primary purpose of the marriage was not to

obtain admission to the United Kingdom;

(ii)

(iii)

the parties to the marriage have met and intend to live permanently together; and

the parties can maintain and accommodate themselves adequately without recourse to public funds.

In practice it is most unlikely that the existing spouse of an expatriate British citizen who has been working overseas and is returning to the United Kingdom would not meet these requirements.

YUGAAO/1

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