TNAG-2951-FCO40-4228-Hong-Kong-visa-free-travel-for-British-Nationals-(Overseas)--1993 — Page 61

13-AUG-198

STIGT

IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT

Dyt.

Visas for EC Countries

At present, of the 12 EC countries, 9 are

Convention

signatories to the Schengen Agreement,

These

Belgium,

9 countries are Portugal,

are Portugal, Spain, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Greece. Of these 9 countries, three (1.e. Portugal, France and Germany) presently require visas for BN (0) and HKBDTC passport holders. The remaining 6 do not have such requirement.

thereby dispensing

2.

We understand that to enhance control and to Convention better facilitate travellers, the Schengen Agreement aims to form a "common travel area" within the member states, thereby dispensing with border checks on cross-border travellers through the establishment of a Common Visa List (CVL) for the entire area.

for the entire area. In this connection, if a person is allowed to enter one of the

weddet be

member states (with or without a visa), he is free to travel to other member states without having to undergo immigration examination.

3.

Ty meant to

We gather that the new arrangement may be implemented towards the end of this year. As their plan has not yet been finalized, we have no exact dates and other details.

14.

F.04