; and (2) on or before the date on which the waiver takes effect, notifies the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives of the intent to waive such subsection. . (b) Visa applicants Title II of the United States-Hong Kong Policy Act of 1992 ( 22 U.S.C. 5721 et seq.), as amended by subsection (a), is further amended by adding at the end the following: 206. Treatment of Hong Kong applicants for visas to study or work in the United States (a) Statement of policy Notwithstanding any other provision of law, applications for visas to enter, study, or work in the United States, which are submitted by otherwise qualified applicants who resided in Hong Kong in 2014, shall not be denied on the basis of the applicant’s arrest, detention, or other adverse government action taken as a result of the applicant’s participation in nonviolent protest activities related to the electoral process, internationally recognized human rights, protecting an independent judiciary, or the rule of law. (b) Implementation The Secretary of State shall take such steps as may be necessary to ensure that consular officers are aware of the policy described in subsection (a) and receive appropriate training and support to ensure that the policy is carried out so that affected individuals do not face discrimination or unnecessary delay in the processing of their visa applications, including— (1) providing specialized training for consular officers posted to Hong Kong, Beijing, Guangzhou, or Macau; (2) instructing the United States Consulate in Hong Kong to maintain an active list of individuals whom are known to have been detained, arrested, or otherwise targeted by the Government of Hong Kong or of China, or intermediaries of such governments, as a result of their participation in the 2014 protests, to facilitate the cross-checking of visa applications for Hong Kong residents