Hong Kong bid for visa-free access to US in jeopardy

Hong Kong’s refusal to detain Edward Snowden may yet have consequences for the city. A State Department official in Washington warned that the row could prevent progress on plans for visa-free access to the US for Hongkongers.

Asked the effect of the Snowden case on Hong Kong’s bid to join the visa waiver programme, which allows 90-day visa-free access for business or tourism, spokesman Patrick Ventrell said there would be an impact “when we have a breakdown on cooperation on such a key issue”.

The US Senate votes today on a comprehensive immigration reform bill that would see Hong Kong added to the areas under consideration to join the visa-free access programme.

The Democrat-controlled Senate is expected to pass the bill in a vote split along party lines. But it is expected to fail in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

Senator Mazie Hirono, a Democrat from Hawaii, first proposed adding Hong Kong to the visa waiver section of the bill last month, before Snowden made his revelations about US cybersnooping after travelling to Hong Kong.

But Hirono’s spokesman, Nathan Quick, said Hong Kong would need to meet stringent requirements to join the programme, including agreeing to share information and honour extradition requests.

Because of a lack of political support, the immigration bill’s terms are expected to be renegotiated and the amendment including Hong Kong resubmitted, which may put Hong Kong’s candidacy in doubt.

Under current regulations, Hong Kong residents are treated the same as mainlanders wanting to travel to the United States. The US consulate moved to streamline the process in March, but Hongkongers must still undergo an interview before being approved for travel.

Taiwanese citizens were granted visa-free access last year, while Japan, South Korea and Singapore also benefit from the visa-free programme.

Joining the 37 countries that are part of the visa-waiver scheme requires an initial nomination from the US Homeland Security Department. A task force then examines every aspect of the bid.

A spokesman for the US consulate in Hong Kong said: “We have no comment on the legislation.”

Roy Chung Chi-ping, one of the leaders of a recent delegation to the United States from the Better Hong Kong Foundation, said he had received a positive response when discussing the visa-waiver programme with lawmakers and government officials.

The group arrived in the US on June 10, the day Snowden revealed he was the man behind the cybersnooping leaks.

Ronnie Chan Chichung, co-leader of the 13-strong delegation, said: “I’m not worried that the US will change its mind. Visa-free visits for Hongkongers to the US are not only beneficial for us, but also for them.”

In 2011, about 129,000 Hongkongers travelled to the United States.

Additional reporting by Johnny Tam

 

Hong Kong bid for visa-free access to US in jeopardy