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Information Concerning Visa Exemption Arrangement for Holders of Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region (SAR) and British National Overseas (BNO) Passports

February 2004

  1. On Wednesday February 4, 2004, in note verbales, the Government of Japan stated that it is prepared to take the visa exemption arrangement from 1 April 2004 to holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) passport and British National Overseas (BNO) passport who have a right of residence in Hong Kong and who wish to enter Japan with the intention of staying there for a period not exceeding ninety(90) consecutive days. Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoriko Kawaguchi also conveyed a letter in this regard to Chief Secretary of Administration of Hong Kong SAR Donald Tsang, who is currently visiting Japan.
  2. The visa exemption arrangement will not apply to holders of the valid Hong Kong SAR passport who desire to enter Japan with the intention of seeking employment or of exercising a profession or other occupation (including public entertainment and sport for remunerative purposes).
  3. For visas, when required and granted, the competent Japanese diplomatic and consular authorities will not charge any fees.
  4. It is expected that these measures will contribute to further promoting economic and tourism exchange between Japan and Hong Kong and Japan and the United Kingdom and bring relations still closer.

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