Click here to see the numbers and origins of refugees hosted by Hong Kong.
For China country of information (COI) experts, reports, commentaries and relevant documents, please click here.
Hong Kong is not a party to the 1951 Refugee Convention and has no legal framework for the granting of asylum.
Previously, UNHCR has been responsible for legally recognising refugees (this process is called Refugee Status Determination – RSD). This has now stopped, as of 2014, and the UNHCR is now only able to advise and provide support. Currently, UNHCR Sub-Office Hong Kong (“SOHK”) focuses on three key areas: Protection, Comprehensive Solutions and Private Sector Partnerships. SOHK reports to the Office in Beijing and covers both the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions. They can be contacted here.
How to claim asylum: since 2014 the Hong Kong government introduced the Unified Screening Mechanism (USM) to decide claims.
Information on the USM procedure
FAQ on USM
Below is a list of pro bono organisations that support refugees in Hong Kong and provide them legal aid.
Justice Centre Hong Kong
https://www.justicecentre.org.hk/
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theDesk, 511 Queens Road West, Sai Wan. Hong Kong
Tel: +852 3109 7359
Fax: +852 3422 3019
info@justicecentre.org.hk
Justice Centre Hong Kong is a not-for-profit, human rights organisation working to protect the rights of Hong Kong’s most vulnerable forced migrants – refugees, other people seeking protection and survivors of modern slavery. Justice Centre Hong Kong is a member of the Asia Pacific Refugee Rights Network (APRRN).
We can offer information about:
- How to make a claim for protection/asylum in Hong Kong under the Unified Screening Mechanism (USM).
- How to prepare a case; what to do and what to expect during/after an asylum case has been made
- What to do if an asylum claim has been rejected by HK Immigration and/or the Torture Claims Appeal Board/Non-refoulement Claims Petition Office.
- Asylum seekers rights in Hong Kong, including rights in relation to immigration, the police, food, housing, health care, education, employment, getting married and having a family.
- Immigration options other than the USM, including dependent visas, voluntary repatriation, immigration to other countries, and leaving Hong Kong.
Social assistance:
Branches of Hope – social services and financial assistance
Christian Action
Vision First Limited