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The Immigration Department announced today (August 11) that from August 20, nationals of Sri Lanka will require a visa to visit Hong Kong for whatever purposes, including airside transit.

At present, nationals of Sri Lanka may visit Hong Kong visa free for 30 days.

"Hong Kong adopts a liberal visa policy under which nationals of about 170 countries and territories may visit Hong Kong without a visa and stay for between seven and 180 days," a department spokesman said.

"The Immigration Department regularly reviews its visa policies taking into account factors such as the social, economic and political situations of countries and territories concerned. The objective of our visa policy is to accord due facilitation to genuine visitors while maintaining effective immigration control."

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders currently do not require a visa to visit Sri Lanka. The spokesman reminded passport holders to check with the local Sri Lankan Consulate on the visa requirement before visiting the country in case there are any changes.

Ends/Thursday, August 11, 2005

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