applications for entry clearance as a spouse or fiance (e)
were refused in Hong Kong and the four cases which were
refused all involved the very different situation where a
person settled in the United Kingdom sought to bring in
someone he or she was marrying from abroad.
I do, however understand the concern of expatriates
that their spouses should be able to obtain some evidence of
their status and an assurance that if they decided to come to the United Kingdom an application for the necessary entry clearance would be processed speedily. As Lord Ferrers
announced in the House of Lords on 23 July, we are therefore
making arrangements whereby the spouse of a British citizen
resident in Hong Kong may approach the Hong Kong Immigration
Department - who act for us in entry clearance matters
with evidence of the marriage. The details will be noted in
a register of non-British citizen spouses of British
citizens and the spouse will be given a formal letter issued
on behalf of the Home Secretary confirming that the holder
is married to a British citizen. The letter will explain
that the spouse is eligible to settle in the United Kingdom
provided that the requirements of the Immigration Rules are
met. It will also include an assurance that a later
application for entry clearance will be given priority
treatment in view of the information which has already been
noted. The Home Office are still finalising the details of this, but we hope it will be possible to start providing this service very soon.
Mr Buckley refers to the assurance given by the Home Secretary during the Second Reading debate on 19 April that the widowed spouse of a British citizen resident in Hong Kong will be allowed to settle in the UK at any time as if
coming here as the spouse of a British citizen. As Lord
Ferrers indicated in the House of Lords on 16 July, this assurance it now applies whether or not the widowed spouse has citizenship of a third country, provided only that he or she has not remarried and is still resident in Hong Kong.
YUGAAO/2
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.