Hours after regional carriers began cancelling services to the Gulf, Hong Kong residents caught on business or leisure trips in the United Arab Emirates and neighbouring states took to social media pleading for assistance. According to Immigration Department figures released on 3 March, at least 585 Hong Kong passport-holders were still in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat and Manama after numerous outbound flights were grounded when Iran temporarily closed portions of its airspace following the US-Israeli strike. Travellers told the South China Morning Post they were unable to reach the Chinese Consulate in Dubai by phone and were instead instructed to leave their details with Hong Kong’s Immigration Department via the "1868" hotline and website. Some considered driving 1,600 km overland to Doha—currently the main evacuation hub—to catch special charter flights being mounted by European carriers. Others said UAE officials had offered to cover hotel and meal costs but they needed formal confirmation in writing for insurance claims. The episode has reignited debate about Hong Kong’s consular capacity.
![585 Hongkongers Stranded after Gulf Airspace Closure Appeal for Government Evacuation Help]()
For Hongkongers preparing future trips, VisaHQ can streamline much of the advance paperwork and risk planning. Through its Hong Kong portal (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/), the agency supplies real-time visa requirements, passport renewal support and optional insurance services, ensuring travellers secure the correct documents quickly while keeping abreast of shifting security conditions.
Unlike sovereign states, the HKSAR relies on Chinese embassies for overseas representation, while the Immigration Department operates a small Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit in Wan Chai. During the 2022 Russia-Ukraine crisis, delays in chartering evacuation flights prompted the Audit Commission to recommend larger contingency funds and pre-arranged commercial contracts for rapid lift-out of residents. Mobility professionals with staff on long-term assignment in the Gulf should review emergency communication trees, check that employees have registered with the online "Outbound Travel Information Reminder" system, and verify that each traveller’s insurance covers conflict-related disruptions (some policies exclude war-risk areas). Companies may also wish to brief travellers on using alternative consular contacts—such as partner firms’ crisis hotlines—when direct lines to diplomatic missions are saturated. For now, Immigration officials say they are liaising with carriers to secure seats on any relief flights operating via Doha, Istanbul or Athens. Travellers are urged to keep passports, extra medication and hard copies of travel documents accessible in case of short-notice movements.
For Hongkongers preparing future trips, VisaHQ can streamline much of the advance paperwork and risk planning. Through its Hong Kong portal (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/), the agency supplies real-time visa requirements, passport renewal support and optional insurance services, ensuring travellers secure the correct documents quickly while keeping abreast of shifting security conditions.
Unlike sovereign states, the HKSAR relies on Chinese embassies for overseas representation, while the Immigration Department operates a small Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit in Wan Chai. During the 2022 Russia-Ukraine crisis, delays in chartering evacuation flights prompted the Audit Commission to recommend larger contingency funds and pre-arranged commercial contracts for rapid lift-out of residents. Mobility professionals with staff on long-term assignment in the Gulf should review emergency communication trees, check that employees have registered with the online "Outbound Travel Information Reminder" system, and verify that each traveller’s insurance covers conflict-related disruptions (some policies exclude war-risk areas). Companies may also wish to brief travellers on using alternative consular contacts—such as partner firms’ crisis hotlines—when direct lines to diplomatic missions are saturated. For now, Immigration officials say they are liaising with carriers to secure seats on any relief flights operating via Doha, Istanbul or Athens. Travellers are urged to keep passports, extra medication and hard copies of travel documents accessible in case of short-notice movements.
