Hong Kong student visa deal agreed
The agreement, signed last night by officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region (SAR), is similar to those already in place with Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
Australia, in particular, has proven popular with young people looking to take a “gap year” from college or some time out from their careers.
About 12,000 to 14,000 Irish people travel to Australia on a working holiday visa every year.
The new agreement will also contain limits: Hong Kong will offer 100 visas per year, a figure Ireland will reciprocate to citizens of the Chinese-controlled territory.
A department official last night said it was hoped the scheme would serve as “a catalyst to promote stronger business, social and cultural links” between the two countries.
To qualify for a working holiday visa, the applicant must be between 18 and 30 years old and have enough funds to support him or herself for the duration of their stay.
The visa lasts for no more than 12 months and cannot be renewed or extended.
In addition, the applicant is allowed to work in the country for the duration of their stay but the work is intended to be casual in nature.
The signing of the latest agreement took place in Hong Kong’s Government House last night and was witnessed by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and SAR chief executive Tung Chee Hwa Hong Kong and Ireland are also working towards an extradition treaty at present with the text finalised on a draft agreement.
The Taoiseach arrived in Hong Kong from Shanghai yesterday.
Mr Ahern is in China leading a trade mission to the country.
The mission, organised by Enterprise Ireland, began in Beijing on Tuesday and also took in Shanghai.
Irish companies participating in the mission have signed approximately 115 million of contracts with Chinese counterparts this week, with more signings expected today.
The mission concludes this evening.
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