The Immigration Department has intensified removals of non-refoulement claimants whose appeals have been exhausted, sending 77 people back to their home countries between 15 and 19 December during Operation “Sharp Shield” (銳盾). The group comprised 38 men and 39 women; several had completed jail terms for criminal offences before being placed in immigration detention.
Since a December 2022 policy revision, officers may arrange deportation as soon as the High Court refuses permission for judicial review, cutting months off previous timelines. Officials say the faster process protects public order and deters abuse of the asylum system—Hong Kong has recognised fewer than 1% of the 20 000 claims lodged since 2014.
The latest charter flights and commercial escorts required complex coordination with foreign consulates, airlines and local police. Removal paperwork, COVID-era health protocols and transit-country visas all had to be secured within tight time windows. According to immigration sources, nearly half the 77 returnees were from South Asia, with the remainder from Africa and Southeast Asia.
![Hong Kong Deports 77 Failed Asylum Seekers in Five-Day ‘Sharp Shield’ Operation]()
Amid such stringent enforcement, travellers and employers may wish to double-check visa and travel-document requirements before any move. VisaHQ’s Hong Kong office offers online application tools, transit-visa procurement and real-time status tracking, making it easier to stay compliant with local regulations and avoid last-minute disruptions. Learn more at https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/.
Human-rights NGOs criticised the sweep for taking place just before the Christmas period, arguing that many claimants lacked legal counsel after recent legal-aid cuts. Business chambers, however, welcomed the tougher stance, saying bogus claimants often work illegally and depress wages in construction and catering—sectors already short of authorised workers.
Employers should note that harbouring or hiring a removed person who re-enters illegally carries penalties of up to HK$500 000 and 10 years’ imprisonment. Companies moving staff to Hong Kong are advised to verify the visa status of casual workers through the enhanced “Easy Check” online portal.
Since a December 2022 policy revision, officers may arrange deportation as soon as the High Court refuses permission for judicial review, cutting months off previous timelines. Officials say the faster process protects public order and deters abuse of the asylum system—Hong Kong has recognised fewer than 1% of the 20 000 claims lodged since 2014.
The latest charter flights and commercial escorts required complex coordination with foreign consulates, airlines and local police. Removal paperwork, COVID-era health protocols and transit-country visas all had to be secured within tight time windows. According to immigration sources, nearly half the 77 returnees were from South Asia, with the remainder from Africa and Southeast Asia.
Amid such stringent enforcement, travellers and employers may wish to double-check visa and travel-document requirements before any move. VisaHQ’s Hong Kong office offers online application tools, transit-visa procurement and real-time status tracking, making it easier to stay compliant with local regulations and avoid last-minute disruptions. Learn more at https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/.
Human-rights NGOs criticised the sweep for taking place just before the Christmas period, arguing that many claimants lacked legal counsel after recent legal-aid cuts. Business chambers, however, welcomed the tougher stance, saying bogus claimants often work illegally and depress wages in construction and catering—sectors already short of authorised workers.
Employers should note that harbouring or hiring a removed person who re-enters illegally carries penalties of up to HK$500 000 and 10 years’ imprisonment. Companies moving staff to Hong Kong are advised to verify the visa status of casual workers through the enhanced “Easy Check” online portal.
