Law and Order Police Hong Kong remains one of the world's safest large cities. The crime rate in 1998 was 1 076 per 100 000 population - the second-lowest for 25 years - which is roughly the same as Singapore and lower than that for Tokyo, London and other major cities in the USA and Canada. Immigration Since July 1, 1997, Hong Kong has been responsible for its own immigration policies and the issuing of the HKSAR Passport. By mid-May 1999, more than 869 000 SAR Passports had been issued since July 1, 1997, while 59 countries had granted visa-free access. Lobbying efforts are continuing and bearing fruit as more countries become familiar with the passport and its state-of-the-art security features. Hong Kong continues its liberal visa regime. Nationals from some 170 countries and territories can visit the SAR visa free for periods ranging from a week to three months. More people than ever are calling Hong Kong home. The expatriate population continues to increase, rising to more than 485 000 at the end of December 1998 - a 5.5% increase over the 460 500 expatriates living in Hong Kong at the end of 1997. Emigration dropped by 11 600 to 19 300 in 1998, compared with 30 900 in 1997 and a peak of 66 200 in 1992. The net inflow of Hong Kong permanent residents has remained considerable - 89 900 in 1998, compared with 127 000 in 1997, 63 900 in 1996 and 20 400 in 1994. Last updated: June 1999