HKSAR - The Hong Kong government is implementing new measures to assess visa applications, requiring applicants to declare any previous criminal records.
Starting from June 19, individuals applying for visas or entry permits, including dependents, foreign domestic helpers, imported workers, students, and those applying for working holiday schemes, will be subjected to this requirement.
"Application procedures for extension of stay, and for foreign domestic helpers currently working in Hong Kong applying for contract renewal with the same employer or for completing the remaining/extended period of the current contract with the same employer and for change of employer in Hong Kong, will not be included in this adjustment," the department said the immigration department (ImmD) in its media release.
"As a transitional arrangement, the ImmD will continue to process applications that reach the ImmD on or before June 18, regardless of whether declaration on criminal convictions has been made."
This move follows the government's previous requirement for criminal declarations from visa applicants under the Top Talent Pass Scheme and other talent admission schemes.
The decision comes in the wake of the controversy surrounding the entry of Chinese biophysicist He Jiankui, who had qualified under the TTPS despite a criminal conviction. The ImmD emphasized the importance of providing accurate and truthful information during the application process.
Government officials have not explicitly stated whether a criminal conviction will result in automatic disqualification of an applicant. Additionally, there are concerns regarding potential delays in visa processing for new domestic helpers coming from overseas.
Confusion also prevails on whether the declarations will be diligently examined by Hong Kong authorities or is this just a formality. Questions such as whether applicants are obliged to declare spent convictions – the removal of certain criminal records after a specified period – also need further clarification from the quarters concerned.
The population of Hong Kong is approximately 7.5 million people as per its Census and Statistics Department while the number of visitors who visited Hong Kong in 2019 was 55.91 million according to its Tourism Board.
The country had been relying on liberal visa policy but soon that is about to change in the wake of the case mentioned above.
Daily Pakistan Global Web Desk
KARACHI - Following are the foreign currency exchange rates for US Dollar, Saudi Riyal, UK Pound Sterling, U.A.E. Dirham, European Euro, and other foreign currencies in Pakistan open market on September 30, 2023 (Saturday).
Source: Forex Association of Pakistan. (last update 09:00 AM)
Currency | Symbol | Buying | Selling |
US Dollar | USD | 286.05 | 289.15 |
Euro | EUR | 307 | 310 |
UK Pound Sterling | GBP | 353.3 | 357 |
U.A.E Dirham | AED | 80 | 80.8 |
Saudi Riyal | SAR | 76 | 76.75 |
Australian Dollar | AUD | 189 | 191 |
Bahrain Dinar | BHD | 778.84 | 786.84 |
Canadian Dollar | CAD | 220 | 222.2 |
China Yuan | CNY | 40.24 | 40.64 |
Danish Krone | DKK | 41.83 | 42.23 |
Hong Kong Dollar | HKD | 37.93 | 38.28 |
Indian Rupee | INR | 3.57 | 3.68 |
Japanese Yen | JPY | 1.63 | 1.71 |
Kuwaiti Dinar | KWD | 945.27 | 954.27 |
Malaysian Ringgit | MYR | 62.62 | 63.22 |
New Zealand Dollar | NZD | 174.58 | 176.58 |
Norwegians Krone | NOK | 27.87 | 28.17 |
Omani Riyal | OMR | 762.31 | 770.31 |
Qatari Riyal | QAR | 80.69 | 81.39 |
Singapore Dollar | SGD | 208 | 210 |
Swedish Korona | SEK | 26.62 | 26.92 |
Swiss Franc | CHF | 323.01 | 325.51 |
Thai Bhat | THB | 8.12 | 8.27 |
KARACHI - The price of a single tola of 24-karat gold in Pakistan is Rs 205,600 on Saturday.
The price of 10 grams of 24k gold was recorded at Rs 176,270. Likewise, 10 grams of 22k gold were being traded for Rs168,730 while a single tola of 22-karat gold was being sold at Rs196,807.
Note: The gold rate in Pakistan is fluctuating according to the international market so the price is never been fixed. The below rates are provided by local gold markets and Sarafa Markets of different cities.
City | Gold | Silver |
Lahore | PKR 205,600 | PKR 2,450 |
Karachi | PKR 205,600 | PKR 2,450 |
Islamabad | PKR 205,600 | PKR 2,450 |
Peshawar | PKR 205,600 | PKR 2,450 |
Quetta | PKR 205,600 | PKR 2,450 |
Sialkot | PKR 205,600 | PKR 2,450 |
Attock | PKR 205,600 | PKR 2,450 |
Gujranwala | PKR 205,600 | PKR 2,450 |
Jehlum | PKR 205,600 | PKR 2,450 |
Multan | PKR 205,600 | PKR 2,450 |
Bahawalpur | PKR 205,600 | PKR 2,450 |
Gujrat | PKR 205,600 | PKR 2,450 |
Nawabshah | PKR 205,600 | PKR 2,450 |
Chakwal | PKR 205,600 | PKR 2,450 |
Hyderabad | PKR 205,600 | PKR 2,450 |
Nowshehra | PKR 205,600 | PKR 2,450 |
Sargodha | PKR 205,600 | PKR 2,450 |
Faisalabad | PKR 205,600 | PKR 2,450 |
Mirpur | PKR 205,600 | PKR 2,450 |
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