(9) to protect United States citizens and long- 
term permanent residents living in Hong Kong, as 
well as people visiting and transiting through Hong 
Kong; 
(10) to maintain the economic and cultural ties 
that provide significant benefits to both the United 
States and Hong Kong; 
(11) to coordinate with allies, including the 
United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, Japan, and the 
Republic of Korea, to promote democracy and 
human rights in Hong Kong; and 
(12) in the case of the promulgation of new na-
tional security legislation in Hong Kong, to review 
immigration, asylum, and residency regulations such 
that those residents of Hong Kong fleeing persecu-
tion and seeking better opportunities will be wel-
comed in the United States. 
SEC. 5. PROTECTION FOR HONG KONG RESIDENTS IN THE 
UNITED STATES. 
(a) DESIGNATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—For purposes of section 244 
of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 
1254a), Hong Kong shall be treated as if it had 
been designated under subsection (b)(1)(C) of that 
section, subject to the provisions of this section. 
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(2) PERIOD OF DESIGNATION.—The initial pe-
riod of the designation referred to in paragraph (1) 
shall be for the 18-month period beginning from 
such time as the Standing Committee of the NPC of 
the PRC promulgates national security legislation 
with respect to Hong Kong that amends Article III 
of Hong Kong’s Basic Law. 
(b) ALIENS ELIGIBLE.—As a result of the designa-
tion made under subsection (a), an alien who is a resident 
of Hong Kong is deemed to satisfy the requirements under 
paragraph (1) of section 244(c) of the Immigration and 
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a(c)), subject to paragraph 
(3) of such section, if the alien— 
(1) has been continuously physically present in 
the United States since the date of the enactment of 
this Act; 
(2) is admissible as an immigrant, except as 
otherwise provided in paragraph (2)(A) of such sec-
tion, and is not ineligible for temporary protected 
status under paragraph (2)(B) of such section; and 
(3) registers for temporary protected status in 
a manner established by the Secretary of Homeland 
Security. 
(c) CONSENT TO TRAVEL ABROAD.— 
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(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Homeland 
Security shall give prior consent to travel abroad, in 
accordance with section 244(f)(3) of the Immigra-
tion and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a(f)(3)), to 
an alien who is granted temporary protected status 
pursuant to the designation made under subsection 
(a) if the alien establishes to the satisfaction of the 
Secretary of Homeland Security that emergency and 
extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the 
alien require the alien to depart for a brief, tem-
porary trip abroad. 
(2) TREATMENT UPON RETURN.—An alien re-
turning to the United States in accordance with an 
authorization described in paragraph (1) shall be 
treated as any other returning alien provided tem-
porary protected status under section 244 of the Im-
migration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a). 
(d) FEE.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—In addition to any other fee 
authorized by law, the Secretary of Homeland Secu-
rity is authorized to charge and collect a fee of $360 
for each application for temporary protected status 
under section 244 of the Immigration and Nation-
ality Act by a person who is only eligible for such 
status by reason of subsection (a). 
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(2) WAIVER.—The Secretary of Homeland Se-
curity shall permit aliens to apply for a waiver of 
any fees associated with filing an application re-
ferred to in paragraph (1). 
SEC. 6. DIFFERENTIAL TREATMENT OF HONG KONG RESI-
DENTS FOR IMMIGRATION PURPOSES. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—For not less than 5 years from 
such time as the President suspends, in whole or in part, 
special treatment of Hong Kong under United States law, 
Hong Kong will continue to be considered a separate for-
eign state apart from the PRC as mandated in section 
103 of Public Law 101–649 and thus Hong Kong will con-
tinue to be treated as a separate foreign state for purposes 
of a numerical level established under section 1152 of title 
8, United States Code. 
(b) REGULATIONS.—In order to facilitate the future 
verification of Hong Kong residency status of visa appli-
cants from the PRC, the Secretary of State shall— 
(1) issue regulations within 365 days of enact-
ment establishing a process for Hong Kong residents 
to register their status with embassies of the United 
States and the Department of State globally for pur-
poses of adjudicating an individual’s claim to Hong 
Kong residency as part of a future visa application 
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for entry to the United States, including through 
such means as— 
(A) recording of biometric data; 
(B) official registration and scanning of 
birth certificates, residency cards, and other 
documentation establishing long-term residency; 
and 
(C) collection of other personal informa-
tion, data, and records deemed appropriate by 
the Secretary; 
(2) issue guidance within 180 days of enact-
ment outlining actions to enhance the ability of the 
Department of State to efficiently share information 
with the United Kingdom and other allies for pur-
poses of rapidly adjudicating residency of Hong 
Kong applicants for admission to the United States; 
and 
(3) provide within 180 days of enactment a 
briefing to the House Committees on Foreign Af-
fairs and Judiciary and the Senate Committees on 
Foreign Relations and Judiciary on plans to imple-
ment the requirements pursuant to paragraphs (1) 
and (2). 
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