************************************************************
Following is a question by the Hon Sin Chung-kai and a written reply by the Secretary for Security, Mr Ambrose S K Lee, in the Legislative Council today (February 15):
Question:
Will the Government inform this Council of:
(a) the respective numbers of Mainlanders who came to Hong Kong on student visas over the past three years to study courses offered by University Grants Committee-funded institutions for associate degree, diploma/higher diploma, bachelor's degree, taught master's degree, research master's degree and doctor's degree, with a breakdown by institution; and
(b) the length of time currently required for processing Mainlanders' applications for student visas to study in Hong Kong?
Reply:
Madam President,
(a) Statistics on Mainland residents who were issued with entry permits by the Immigration Department (ImmD) to study in full-time post-secondary programmes offered by University Grants Committee-funded institutions in the past three years are set out in the attached Table 1 and Table 2.
(b) ImmD can normally finalise processing of applications for visas/entry permits to study in Hong Kong within six weeks upon receipt of all necessary documents.
Ends/Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Issued at HKT 15:42
NNNN
