TNAG-2643-FCO40-3836-Immigration-to-Hong-Kong-from-China-policy-and-statistics-1992 — Page 41

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NOTE FOR EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

HKD 341/2

3441/2 C

PROSECUTION OF

TWO-WAY PERMIT OVERSTAYERS

INTRODUCTION

Too many PRC visitors who enter Hong Kong on two-way permits are staying here after their limits of stay expire. This note informs Members of the proposal to prosecute these overstayers.

BACKGROUND AND ARGUMENT

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Under arrangements agreed with China in 1982, PRC residents may make short visits to Hong Kong if they hold two-way permits from the Chinese authorities. These permits were previously valid for three months but the Chinese authorities have reduced the validity period since June 1989. These permits are now normally valid for one month.

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PRC residents who visit Hong Kong on these permits must return to China before that limit expires. They may apply for and be granted extensions of stay. Extensions granted are only for short periods (usually two days at a time) and must not extend the total length of stay beyond the validity of the individual permit. Each extension costs $115.

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Every year, some of these visitors overstay, i.e. illegally remaining in Hong Kong after their approved limits of stay. And some are also taking up employment without the permission of the Director of Immigration.

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This used to be a minor problem. In 1988 we recorded fewer than 1300 overstayers, or 1% of all two-way permit holders. But the figure for 1990 was ten times higher and 1991 was even worse. Further details are at Annex A.

Executive Council