are eligible to apply for the Hong Kong SAR passport. Note that acquisition of British citizenship in the British Nationality Selection Scheme itself does not affect the eligibility for a HKSAR passport. Nor does the holding of any foreign passport itself affect the eligibility for a HKSAR passport, provided that one remains a PRC citizen. Under Hong Kong Basic Law, the Government of Hong Kong is responsible for immigration control in the territory. The Hong Kong SAR passport is issued by the Immigration Department of Hong Kong under the authorisation of the Central People's Government (or the State Council). Its design is distinct from other types of People's Republic of China passports and the holders enjoy visa-free entry to more countries than other PRC passports. Second version (2003–2007) Starting from 1 January 2003, the second version of the passport was introduced with enhanced security features. The passport was machine readable, designed for immigration control points equipped with passport scanners. The passport size was . The second version of the Hong Kong SAR passport was available either as a 32-page ordinary-size passport or as a 48-page passport. Front cover The cover of the passport was dark blue with wording and the national emblem of the People's Republic of China in gold. The word Passport in Chinese and English is found below the crest. Above are the words Hong Kong Special Administrative Region People's Republic of China, also in Chinese and English. It is worth noting that the characters 中華人民共和國 (People's Republic of China) are bigger than the characters 香港特別行政區 (Hong Kong Special Administrative Region) on the passport cover. In English, however, "HONG KONG" is bigger than the phrase "SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA" for easy distinction by foreign immigration officials. Inner front cover The passport note appeared on the second page in Chinese and English: Inner pages The passport's observations page on page 3 had the following: the holder's Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card number, and the Chinese Commercial Code of the holder's Chinese name if the passport was issued through a Chinese foreign mission, the embassy/consulate would also make an endorsement in the observations stating so. an official chop by the Immigration Department a machine-readable barcode The passport's explanatory notes were on page 1 in Chinese, and on page 2 in English. They consisted of the following words: Identification page Personal data was recorded on the inner rear