Criminal Record Checks For More Visa, Permit Schemes

The Immigration Department said on Sunday that it is requiring people applying to come to Hong Kong under a further five talent admission schemes to declare whether they have a criminal record.

The move, which takes effect on Monday, follows a recent controversy involving a mainland scientist, He Jiankui, who had been granted approval to come to Hong Kong through the new Top Talent Pass Scheme, in spite of the fact that he had been jailed for a breach of medical ethics.

Authorities later said his permit was invalid and made it compulsory for applicants under the Top Talent Pass Scheme to declare whether they have any criminal convictions.

In a statement, the Immigration Department said it was putting the same rule in place for five other visa or entry schemes.

"The [Immigration Department] has all along been assessing each application for visa/entry permits in a rigorous manner and will adjust from time to time application procedures and information required for applications," it said.

Election committee legislator William Wong, who is also an engineering professor with the Chinese University, expressed support for the government's move.

"The government should be a good gatekeeper preventing those people from coming in," he told RTHK.

He said the authorities took prompt action to remedy the situation after "the slip" with He.

The five schemes are the General Employment Policy, the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals, the Technology Talent Admission Scheme, the Immigration Arrangement for Non-local Graduates, as well as the Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents.