British consuls in Europe have been granted wide powers to use their discretion in granting tourist visas for admission to Palestine, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency was informed today by the Palestine High Commissioner, Sir Arthur Grenfell Wauchope.
The explanation of the High Commissioner was offered in view of the general perturbation which has followed the tightening of immigration requirements for tourists desiring to enter Palestine from abroad.
On July 31st, the Palestine government published an immigration ordinance under which no person is permitted to enter Palestine without permission from the immigration department at the place of entrance.
On October 11th, this was supplemented with the issuance of instructions to all British consulates in Europe to require of tourists seeking visas evidence that they leave businesses or properties and that they have return tickets. The strictures were introduced as a guarantee that those entering Palestine as tourists would not remain permanently in the country.
On December 10th, it was learned that the British consulate in Poland, whence came the largest number of tourists to Palestine, has discontinued granting third class tourist visas. Tourists travelling first and second class are required to deposit sixty pounds as security for their return to Poland.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.