IT expert denied visa lodges writ
The Immigration Department refused to grant a work visa to a computer marketing manager from India because it wrongly believed his expertise was available in Hong Kong, according to a writ.
Ramesh Verma, 28, is trying to overturn the Director of Immigration's decision to refuse him the visa.
The High Court writ, filed yesterday, says the 'irrational' decision came as a 'considerable surprise' to Mr Verma and his employer.
Mr Verma, who has a commerce degree, came to Hong Kong last July and was offered a position as a sales manager with Teleway International Technology for a monthly salary of $15,000.
His work visa application was submitted to the Immigration Department on August 18 but was rejected.
'It did not meet the criteria laid down by the existing policy on the admission of persons into the HKSAR for employment, namely that such a person should possess a special skill, knowledge or experience which is of value to and not readily available in Hong Kong,' the writ quotes the department as saying.
But Mr Verma said there was a well-known shortage of suitably qualified local personnel in the information technology sector and that it was in the interests of the SAR economy to seek talent from overseas.
