Why Do Chinese Nationals Need a Visa to Hong Kong?
In Hong Kong, a visa is not required for Chinese nationals living abroad. However, if they intend to visit Hong Kong for a more extended period, they must obtain an HKSAR Entry Permit from a Chinese embassy or consulate. An entry permit allows you to stay in the territory for two weeks and thirty days. This visa does not require a return trip to China. For Chinese nationals living abroad, the rule that permits them to stay in Hong Kong is known as the One-year rule.
Exempting Chinese nationals from a visa to Hong Kong
The government has recently announced changes to its policy for visiting Hong Kong and has issued new regulations regarding the entry of non-Hong Kong residents. For instance, to enter Hong Kong, a non-Hong Kong resident must be quarantined in mainland China for 14 days and produce a medical certificate of exemption. Until further notice, non-Hong Kong residents who travel by air are denied entry to Hong Kong. Exemptions are expected to be finalized shortly. The new regulations will also apply to travel by businesspeople and manufacturing activities. For instance, an exemption will be granted for the professional services of a Hong Kong-based company.
In addition to these visa exemptions, foreign citizens with ordinary passports can also visit the Pearl River Delta region without a visa. This area includes cities like Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Foshan, Jiangmen, Zhaoqing, Huzhou, and Dongguan. The requirements for such a visa exemption vary depending on the purpose of travel.
The Chinese government also provides a list of visa exemptions for specific certificate holders. In addition, in certain countries, citizens can enter Hong Kong without a visa. According to the list, this includes Chinese nationals. This list can be found online. Visitors will receive landing slips instead of stamps when they enter the immigration control points. These landing slips contain personal information and arrival dates. Upon departure, they do not have to show these receipts.
Some people on this list may already have a right of abode in Hong Kong. However, visa waivers do not apply to foreign crew members on international sailing vessels. Hence, foreign nationals should be careful when applying for visa exemptions. If you are unsure whether your status is legal in Hong Kong, it is best to seek advice from a local immigration attorney.
Besides these visa exemptions, Chinese nationals living abroad can obtain an HKSAR Entry Permit. This visa-free entry allows a Chinese national to stay in Hong Kong for two weeks to 30 days. There are also restrictions for those who hold a Tongan National or Tongan Protected Person passport or a Decree 289/90. Additionally, American diplomatic and special passports are not included in this list.
One-year rule
The repressive regime in Hong Kong has taken many steps to enforce its new rules. The Chinese Communist Party has instructed teachers to instill patriotic fervor in students. In contrast, public libraries have censored books on Nelson Mandela and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This government has taken unprecedented measures to curb free speech, freedom of expression, and other fundamental rights. It has also reshaped the local legislature and civil service. Beijing has described these reforms as merely plugging loopholes while attacking hard-won freedoms. The «electoral reforms» that reshaped Hong Kong have gutted the city’s competitive system, replacing it with sham races.
In Hong Kong, a British citizen was recently sent a letter from Hong Kong police threatening him with a prison sentence if he violated the new law. The letter cited the National Security Law’s extraterritorial clause. The British government quickly denounced this threat, but it was not long before Hong Kong retaliated against him by suspending his visa and removing him from the city.
The government has put forth hundreds of pages of curriculum guidelines to instill in children an affection for Chinese culture and society. Students are expected to learn about China’s control over disputed areas of the South China Sea. Students as young as six will be instructed about offenses under the security law. Beijing’s crackdown on the Chinese economy could jeopardize the city’s financial status. However, some residents feel that the law has made the city safer for Chinese nationals.
The one-year rule for Chinese nationals in Hongkong does not apply to Mainland residents. Citizens of the People’s Republic of China do not need an entry permit to enter the city, and if they do, they must present a valid passport and air tickets for their connecting flights to the Chinese mainland or Macao. For more details, visit the Hong Kong SAR government website. In addition, Chinese citizens who plan to stay in Hong Kong for more than seven days must apply for an entry permit.
The unrest in Hong Kong in the spring and summer of 2019 has morphed into a massive anti-government and pro-democracy movement. The city’s legislature was stormed, and a university campus was sieged for days. A man was critically injured during the police attack. The Chinese government had left the crisis to local authorities and only intervened after the outbreak of a coronavirus pandemic. The Chinese government has not stopped arresting people and blocking access to their social media accounts.
The legal system of Hong Kong
The Basic Law guarantees the rights of Hong Kong residents. Article 39 of the Basic Law applies international human rights and labor conventions that were in force in Hong Kong before the handover. Most parts of the ICCPR have been ratified as the Hong Kong Bill of Rights Ordinance. While no equivalent legislation was made for the ICESCR, Hong Kong has laws similar to those of the European Union. Therefore, if you are looking to settle a dispute in Hong Kong, it is essential to know the legal system of Hong Kong.
The legislature is the Legislative Council. The Basic Law lays down the procedure for forming and voting on bills and motions. The function of the Legislative Council is to make laws, approve budgets and oversee the government’s work. The Judiciary is the independent body in Hong Kong that deals with the administration of justice. It hears all civil disputes and criminal prosecutions. In contrast, the government and the Executive Council are entirely separate entities.
The Basic Law gives the Hong Kong courts the authority to rule on the legality of government actions. But the supreme power for interpretation lies with the National People’s Congress Standing Committee. Beijing must approve the appointment of the chief executive, and it controls Hong Kong’s foreign and defense affairs. However, the principle has several important exceptions, including the right to self-determination. In general, the Basic Law guarantees the freedoms of Hong Kong until 2047. It does not specify what happens after 2047.
The courts are independent of the executive and legislative branches of government. The High Court, the Court of Final Appeal, and the District Court. They include the Juvenile Court, Lands Tribunal, Family Court, Magistrates’ Court, and Coroner’s Court. In addition, there is an Obscene Articles Tribunal. Hong Kong has a separate judiciary and legal system, unlike most other jurisdictions.
Requirements for obtaining a visa
When visiting Hong Kong, Chinese nationals must have an Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to Hong Kong (EEP) or a Two-way Permit for Travelling to the SAR (the Special Administrative Region). In addition to these visas, people from more than a hundred other countries must apply for a Hong Kong SAR Visa. This must be used before departure.
The immigration department does not require a visa if you plan to work for a local company in Hong Kong. It would help if you were employed and had an acceptable education and language proficiency. If you have a criminal record, you may be required to undergo a background check before submitting your application. Once approved, you may enter Hong Kong with a visa label. In general, the visa processing time is between four and six weeks.
To enter Hong Kong, you must have a valid passport and funds sufficient to cover your stay. Foreign nationals must have enough funds to support themselves during their stay. You must present your passport and other documentation at a government immigration office upon arrival. A Chinese travel agency should also accompany you. Obtaining a visa for Hong Kong can be a hassle, but it is essential if you wish to visit the city.
The HK Immigration Department typically requires a bank draft or cashier’s order for the processing fee. The bank draft should be issued by a Hong Kong bank connected to a Hong Kong government. Always make sure that you do not place cash in a parcel. If you are applying for a student visa, you cannot work in Hong Kong without permission from the Immigration Department.
Holders of People’s Republic of China passports are exempt from the visa requirements for travel to Hong Kong. However, they must present a valid passport, air tickets to their connecting flights, and a valid visa for their destination country. The immigration officers also ask for the transistor’s immigration documents and a valid travel document. They do not require transit access so that they can enter the city on a transit flight.
