HC Deb 02 June 1954 vol 528 cc81-5W
Mr. Erroll

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies to publish a list of those Colonial Territories which impose restrictions on the entry of British nationals or require the deposit of any form of surety, together with details of the restrictions in each case.

Mr. Lyttelton

According to my latest information the position is that British subjects who hold valid passports and who are not prohibited immigrants as defined in the immigration legislation of the Territories may enter subject to compliance with the following conditions:

Aden Colony: Entry permits are required. The immigration officer may, at his discretion, require anyone entering the Colony to make a deposit in cash, or by bond, of up to £100.

Aden Protectorate: Prior permission to enter is required. If entering via the Colony, the Colony regulations must be observed.

Ascension: No one landing in Ascension may remain on the Island without a permit from the Governor of St. Helena.

Bahamas: Those entering for permanent residence or employment require prior permission and must deposit the sum of £20 or sufficient bond of two residents good for five years.

Barbados: Any person travelling to the Colony may be required to make a deposit, or furnish a security bond, varying from $96 to $1,500.

Bermuda: Anyone not holding a return ticket may be required to make a deposit sufficient to cover the cost of repatriation to their country of origin. Those entering for permanent residence or employment require prior permission and must make a deposit of £75 which is returnable in seven years but bears interest at Post Office Savings Bank rate.

British Guiana: Any immigrant may be required by an immigration officer to make a deposit, or furnish a security bond, varying from $96 to $2,000.

British Honduras: Any immigrant may be required to make a cash deposit on arrival varying from $100 to $1,000.

British Solomon Islands Protectorate: All persons entering to take up employment must have prior permission which should be sought by their prospective employers who may be required to enter into a bond, with sureties in such sum as the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific may determine. Visitors may also be required to make a deposit or enter into a bond.

Brunei: All Europeans entering the Territory must be in possession of at least 500 Malayan dollars, plus $500 for each adult and $200 for each minor dependant. All others must be in possession of $50 for each adult and $25 for each minor dependant.

Cyprus: Entry permits are required. Prior permission is required for those taking employment, while those entering for private residence must have a minimum annual income of £300 or more.

Falkland Islands: Prior permission is required by those wishing to take up employment.

Federation of Malaya: Entry permits are required and visitors and intending immigrants may be asked for a deposit sufficient to cover the cost of their repatriation, at the discretion of the controller of immigration.

Fiji: Entry permits are required. Visitors not holding return tickets, or tickets, to another destination, may be required to deposit £50 or furnish security in lieu. Those entering for residence or to take up employment may be required to deposit a sum not exceeding £500, or a bond in lieu, at the discretion of the principal immigration officer

Gambia: Entry permits are required. Visitors and intending immigrants may be asked for a deposit sufficient to cover the cost of their repatriation, plus 25 per cent., or to give a bond with one or more securities in lieu, at the discretion of the immigration officer.

Gibraltar: Entry permits required to be obtained in advance, but British subjects visiting the Colony for any period up to one month may obtain a temporary pass on arrival.

Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony: No one may enter the islands unless possessed of at least £50 or can satisfy the Resident Commissioner that he is assured of employment and the means of subsistence.

Gold Coast: Entry permits are required. Persons entering to take up employment must be vouched for by their local employers who should apply for the necessary permits. A deposit sufficient to cover the cost of repatriation, plus 25 per cent. or a bond with approved securities in lieu, may be required by the principal immigration officer at his discretion.

Hong Kong: British subjects must have guaranteed accommodation.

Jamaica: Visitors and immigrants may be required to deposit sufficient money to provide for their repatriation, or to furnish a bond in lieu given by some property owner in the Colony.

Kenya: A visitor's pass, entry permit, temporary employment pass or re-entry pass is required. All visitors and intending residents may be required to provide security by bond or cash deposit up to an amount not exceeding £150 for each pass issued, to cover possible cost of repatriation. Employees must be guaranteed by their (prospective) employers.

Persons wishing to take up employment or residence must apply to the principal immigration officer. Requirements for would-be immigrants are as follows:

Agriculture or animal husbandry. Prior permission to acquire land, or an interest in land sufficient for this purpose and such sum as may be prescribed.

Prospecting for minerals or mining. Possession of definite offer of some prospecting right or licence and such sum as may be prescribed.

Trade or business. A licence from the appropriate local authority, and such sum as may be prescribed.

Manufacture. A licence or permission from the appropriate local authority, and such sum as may be prescribed.

Professions. A certificate from the appropriate local authority that he possesses the requisite qualifications, and has sufficient capital or income for the purpose.

Employees. A definite contract of employment and a certificate from the appropriate authority that he will be permitted to take up such employment.

Private residence. A certificate from the appropriate authority that his assured income is sufficient for his needs.

Leeward Islands: Any visitor not in possession of a return ticket and any immigrant to the Colony may be required to deposit on arrival a sum of money sufficient to provide for his repatriation, or to provide security in lieu of such deposit. Any person entering for residence and/or employment should obtain prior permission.

Malta: Entry permits are required, but British subjects travelling from the United Kingdom not staying longer than two months and holding a return ticket or non-encashable voucher entitling them to obtain a return ticket locally are exempt from this requirement. Prior permission to enter must be obtained in all other cases and any immigrant may be required to make a deposit of £50 if coming from Europe or other Mediterranean country, or £100 if he belongs elsewhere. A bond, with one or more securities, may be accepted in lieu of a deposit at the discretion of the immigration officer.

Mauritius: "Bona fide" visitors must satisfy the immigration officer that they intend to leave the Colony within a period not exceeding six months; or that they hold a ticket entitling them to return to the place from whence they came, or to proceed to some other place, within a period not exceeding 12 months after their arrival. An immigrant may not land unless he can furnish (a) a doctor's certificate that he was in good health not more than 10 days prior to setting out on his journey, (b) a certificate of character signed by a magistrate or competent Government official and (c) make a deposit of Rs. 1,000 or its equivalent (£75).

Nigeria: Entry permits are required. Anyone entering for the first time must obtain prior permission. The immigration officer may require a deposit or bond, equivalent to the cost of repatriation, plus 25 per cent. to cover possible maintenance, but this is usually waived in the case of returning residents, persons in transit or on short visits. In the case of an employee the local employer is required to guarantee his repatriation and should make all necessary arrangements for his entry.

North Borneo: Entry permits are required, but visitors are permitted to land only if they have ample funds for their maintenance and return journey while intending immigrants must obtain written permission to enter before sailing for the Territory. Everyone entering the Territory may be required to make a deposit of such sum as the immigration officer may demand, or a bond or other surety may be accepted in lieu. Those entering for employment must hold an entry permit issued to their prospective employer, who is required to act as guarantor.

Northern Rhodesia: No one may enter the Territory unless as. A visitor, if he can produce evidence of permanent residence elsewhere; intention to return thereto, and sufficient funds for that purpose. A resident, if he has ample funds to ensure that he will not become destitute. An employee, if he has a firm contract with a local employer of repute, for a period of not less than six months at an adequate wage; and his prospective employer guarantees the cost of his possible repatriation.

Nyasaland: Entry permits are required. Anyone entering the Territory may be required to provide security by way of bond or deposit, not exceeding £250, to cover repatriation. Employees must be guaranteed by their (prospective) employers. Requirements for would-be immigrants of all classes are the same as for Kenya.

Pitcairn Island: Prior permission to enter must be obtained from the Governor of Fiji.

St. Helena: No one may enter the Island for residence or employment without a permit from the immigration officer, but visitors may obtain one on arrival.

Sarawak: Anyone entering Sarawak may be required to make a deposit not exceeding 500 Malayan dollars or to provide security in lieu. Intending residents or persons wishing to take employment locally must obtain prior permission to enter.

Seychelles: Entry permits are necessary but may be obtained on arrival by British subjects visiting the Colony for periods up to two months, which may be extended at the discretion of the immigration officer. Anyone entering may be required to make a deposit, or a bond may be accepted in lieu, at the discretion of the immigration officer. The sums are (a) Rs.100 (£7 10s.) for Asiatics and Africans, and (b) Rs.666 (£50) in all other cases.

Sierra Leone: Entry permits are required. Visitors may be, and all other entrants are, required to deposit sufficient money to cover the cost of their repatriation, plus 25 per cent. of that sum, or a bond with one or more sureties may be accepted in lieu at the discretion of the immigration officer.

Singapore: As for Federation of Malaya.

Tanganyika: As for Kenya.

Trinidad and Tobago: Visitors should be in possession of a return ticket or be prepared to furnish security either by bond or cash deposit of an amount sufficient to cover the cost of return fare to their country of origin. They must also have in their possession funds sufficient for the period of their proposed visit. Employees must hold firm contracts, stating the nature and period of employment, the proposed wage, and including an undertaking by the employer to repatriate the immigrant, if necessary, within three years. In such cases the employee will not be required to make a deposit.

Uganda: As for Kenya.

Windward Islands: Visitors not in possession of return ticket, or a ticket to some other destination for which they are properly documented, may be required to deposit enough money to defray the cost of their repatriation, plus subsistence, or to give a bond in lieu. Intending residents and employees should seek prior permission to enter. Employees must hold a firm contract with a locally established employer who must guarantee the immigrant for at least two years.

Zanzibar: As for Kenya.

NOTE: In all Territories there are categories of persons, e.g., officials, who are exempt from immigration requirements. The categories are shown in the various immigration laws.