Widened Local Resettlement for Vietnamese Refugees and

Eligible Vietnamese Migrants

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A spokesman for the Immigration Department announced today (Tuesday) a scheme for Vietnamese Refugees (VRs) and eligible Vietnamese Migrants (VMs) to apply for settlement in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region starting February 23, 2000.

"Under the Widened Local Resettlement for Vietnamese Refugees and Eligible Vietnamese Migrants Scheme (WLRS), VRs and eligible VMs who arrived Hong Kong before 9 January 1998 and have not departed since then may apply in person to the Vietnamese Section of the Immigration Department for settlement," said the spokesman.

Persons eligible to apply under the WLRS are:

(a) all VRs who arrived Hong Kong before 9 January 1998 and

have not departed Hong Kong since;

(b) VMs (i.e. non-refugees) meeting all of the following

criteria, including those who:

(i) have been rejected by the Vietnamese Government as

non-nationals;

(ii) have not been accepted by other countries;

(iii) last arrived Hong Kong before 9 January 1998 and have

not departed Hong Kong since; and

(iv) have not been determined by the Director of Immigration

as refugees from Vietnam in China;

9 January 1998 and have not departed Hong Kong since.

"Information leaflets on application procedures will be distributed to all eligible applicants," said the spokesman. There are 973 VRs and 435 eligible VMs remaining in Hong Kong.

"The VRs are grouped into batches and they are requested to apply in person at the Vietnamese Section of the Immigration Department at Room 1103, 11/F, New Kowloon Plaza, 38 Tai Kok Tsui Road, Kowloon during the designated period scheduled as stated in the information leaflet distributed to them well in advance."

"As to the eligible VMs, they are required to renew their recognizance on a monthly basis. They will be requested to submit application under the Scheme at the time of the renewal of their recognizance," he said.

The spokesman added that all VRs and eligible VMs will be given a letter confirming that they have been given provisional approval under the Scheme immediately after they have submitted their applications. They will be required to return to the Vietnamese Section at Tai Kok Tsui or at designated office where they renew their recognizance in one month after the application date.

As an integral part of the Scheme, Pillar Point Vietnamese Refugee Centre (PPVRC) will be closed. Those who live in PPVRC are required to move out of the centre before formal approval is given. When they move out, the Camp Management, Caritas-Hong Kong, will give the VRs confirmation notices with which the applicants can prove their residence to the officers of the Vietnamese Section.

On approval, the VRs will be issued with a stay document to apply for Hong Kong Identity Card if they are over the age of 11. VMs will be directed to the Registration of Persons Office - Kowloon for stay formalities. They will be issued with entry permits upon payment of fees and they could register for an identity card at the same office if they are over the age of 11.

"The VRs and eligible VMs will be offered six weeks to submit their applications They will become Hong Kong residents once their applications are formally approved. They can apply to become permanent residents after they have fulfilled the requirements under the law. Meanwhile they can apply for the Document of Identity as travel documents. For enquiries on WLRS, please call hotline 2391 4361 during office hours," said the spokesman.

End/Tuesday, February 22, 2000

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