The citizens of Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia and Somalia will require a Hong Kong visa from July 11, including for airside transit, according to a government press release on Monday.

Hong Kong Immigration Department said on Monday that this was due to security and immigration control reasons. Nationals of Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ethiopia have been able to visit Hong Kong visa-free for up to14 days, while Somalis have needed a visa for visits unless they are in airside transit. Hong Kong adopts a liberal visa policy under which nationals of about 170 countries and territories can visit visa-free and stay for up to 180 days. The department regularly reviews its visa policies and will take into account social, economic and political situations around the world. It will review its policies in light of ongoing developments.

(Source: Chinaview.cn)