HK unveils new visa policy for Pakistanis

ISLAMABAD - To facilitate Pakistani businessmen and visitors, Hong Kong on Friday unveiled its immigration policy for Pakistan with new appealing and attractive features. Unveiling main features of immigration policy during a press briefing here on Friday, Assistant Director of Immigration Department of Hong Kong, Corrado Chow, said that Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong had a liberal and open immigration policy. Person who wishes to visit or transit through Hong Kong may favourably be granted visa if the applications bona fides is not in doubt and applicant has adequate funds to stay without working, he added. Immigration Department has been making endeavours to facilitate travelling of bona fide visitors or businessmen as far as possible, Corrado said. Application for visa for Pakistanis will be finalised within four weeks upon the receipt of all documents, Corrado said. He said Immigration Department had introduced several appealing features in the existing immigration policy that might facilitate Pakistani businessmen and visitors. These include: granting of multiple journey visit visa that subjects to specific criteria being met like having genuine need to frequently visit Hong Kong; having three or more trouble-free visits in the past 12 months and that the applicant could bring benefits to Hong Kong economy; granting of multiple journey visit visas to members of the Marco Polo Club of the Cathy Pacific at Silver, Gold or Diamond membership; and exercising flexibility in processing visa applications of persons with invitation letter from the Hong Kong Trade Development Councillor for participation in exhibition in Hong Kong. There will be suspension of visa requirement for airside transit for Pakistanis if they possess valid visas for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Republic of Korea, UK, USA or member of Schengen States.

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