The Hong Kong Immigration Service is committed to exercising effective immigration control and enforcing the laws. Moreover, equal emphasis is placed on providing travel convenience and facilitation for tourists, business visitors and Hong Kong residents in order to uphold Hong Kong’s strength as an international financial and trade centre as well as a tourism hub. The services provided to local residents also include the issue of HKSAR passports and other travel documents, visas and identity cards, the handling of nationality matters and the registration of births, deaths and marriages. Additionally, the Immigration Department provides practicable assistance to Hong Kong residents in distress outside Hong Kong, guards against terrorist activities, and prevents and detects immigration-related crimes.