Tighter Hong Kong visa rules may affect more foreign visitors than only Indians
Senior immigration official calls new restriction a first step in bid to cut down on city’s false asylum seekers
More nationals from countries whose asylum seekers flee to Hong Kong may need to register online before visiting, a senior immigration officer revealed to the Post, as the authority reviewed a similar requirement it would soon impose on Indian visitors.
Immigration department assistant director Ma Chi-ming also urged Indian visitors not to enter fake data to try to enhance their chance of entering Hong Kong to seek economic asylum as they would bear legal consequences.
The online registration platform opened from Monday as Indian passport holders who planned to visit the city from January 23 next year must obtain prior approval from the department.
It marks the first time Hong Kong has implemented such a restriction to a third country. The aim is to curb Indian nationals seeking refugee status.
Ma, in charge of visas and policies, said the measure would be reviewed soon after its launch and considered a pilot scheme.