WorldWay Immigration Comprehensive News: The Hong Kong Legislative Council Secretariat recently sent a discussion draft to 70 members of the Hong Kong Legislative Council. Among them, the draft reveals strong policy hints regarding Hong Kong's entry and economic development: the Hong Kong government may reconsider entry matters for Mainland residents and may take the opportunity of the policy address next year (January 14, 2015) to issue new regulations: to cancel or gradually raise the threshold for investment immigration to Hong Kong.
The topics announced in the draft by the Hong Kong Legislative Council have the following directions:
Regarding Entry Policy
It is proposed to amend Article 24 of the Basic Law to cancel the right of abode for babies born in Hong Kong to parents who are not permanent residents of Hong Kong (commonly known as "double non-babies").
Regarding Education
Reduce the current ratio of enrolling Mainland students in subsidized university programs by about 80%, prioritizing local students for the use of local educational resources.
Regarding Economic Development
Set limits on the number of travelers under the Individual Visit Scheme and immediately cancel the missed opportunity for Shenzhen residents holding a one-year multiple-entry personal travel endorsement to Hong Kong, in order to reduce the impact of a large number of Mainland travelers visiting Hong Kong on local residents.
Regarding Welfare Policy
It is necessary to revise the residency period restrictions for the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance Scheme and to submit the relevant draft to the Legislative Council for resolution according to legislative procedures, to ensure that Hong Kong permanent residents can have priority in social welfare protection.
Experts from WorldWay Immigration analyze that Hong Kong's policies are increasingly inclined to protect the interests of local residents, and given the limited resources in Hong Kong, various welfare benefits should be prioritized for local residents. The upcoming policy address on January 14 may reduce the quota for Mainland residents applying for immigration to Hong Kong, further protecting the interests of local residents. As the timeline for the 2015 government policy address approaches, expectations for changes in Hong Kong's investment residency policy are tightening again.
