To provide provide a direct channel for people wishing to enter Hong Kong for employment or any other lawful purpose, visa applications may now be submitted directly to the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

Under the simplified procedure, an applicant may send a duly accomplished standard visa application, obtained from the British visa post or Hong Kong Immigration Department, directly to the latter or through a sponsor in Hong Kong. A visa letter will be issued to the local sponsor with instructions to send the same to the applicant. In the absence of a sponsor, the visa letter will be sent directly to the applicant. The visa letter should be presented together with the necessary travel documents such as valid contract worker passport, Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC), employment contract, among others, in the case of a contract worker, to the immigration authorities upon arrival in Hong Kong.

Prior to this arrangement, visa applications are coursed only through the British visa posts overseas.

For the information of all concerned.

Adopted: 28 Oct. 1994

(SGD.) FELICISIMO O. JOSON, JR.
Administrator