On this webpage, Hong Kong residents can learn what to do if they are in distress and need assistance while outside Hong Kong, whether in Mainland or elsewhere, and where to go for travel tips and advice.
One of the first things Hong Kong residents should consider if they need assistance while in distress outside Hong Kong is calling the 24-hour hotline operated by the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department. The hotline number is:
(852) 1868
Remark: In the event that Hong Kong residents who need assistance are not able to call the hotline operated by the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit (AHU) of the Immigration Department from abroad due to the service settings of their telecommunication services operators or other reasons, they may try adding “0000” after entering “1868”. Alternatively, they may contact their family and friends or the Chinese diplomatic and consular mission in that country for them to contact the AHU. This would allow the AHU officers to call the assistance seekers and render all practicable assistance to them.
Hong Kong residents who have met with accidents or are arrested or detained for being involved in criminal cases may request assistance from the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department.
The following link will lead to a page that offers information on the assistance that can and cannot be provided by the HKSAR Government, how to deal with legal concerns, what to do in case of serious accidents or casualties, and where to go for further information.
Assistance to Hong Kong Residents in the Mainland
Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Travelling Outside Chinese Territory
Whether travelling for business or pleasure, Hong Kong residents should always prepare adequately beforehand and take precautions while they are away. The following link will lead to a set of simple tips for travel preparation and ensuring personal safety during the voyage, and where they can obtain travel advice.
When travelling in the Mainland, it is important to know what assistance can be obtained from the HKSAR Government if Hong Kong residents encounter difficulties. On this webpage, Hong Kong residents can learn about the assistance that can and cannot be provided to them by HKSAR Government, and what to do if they are arrested or in case of serious accidents or casualties.
While the resident is in the Mainland, the HKSAR Government can:
It is important to note the HKSAR Government cannot:
While in the Mainland, Hong Kong residents may meet a number of unexpected circumstances. This section provides information on common scenarios and what they should do in them.
Stolen Property
If Hong Kong residents lose money, identity documents or any other belongings in the Mainland, they should first report the loss to the Public Security authorities and obtain documentary proof of that report. Following such loss, if they need assistance in returning to Hong Kong, they may contact the Immigration Department, the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing, the Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Shanghai, the Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Wuhan, the Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Chengdu or the Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Guangdong.
Please read the 'Contact Details' section below for more information.
Detention or Arrest
Hong Kong residents must abide by the local laws and regulations while traveling or staying in the Mainland. If they contravene the laws in the Mainland, they must bear the legal consequences. If they are arrested or detained for any criminal offence, they may request the Public Security authorities to notify their relatives in accordance with the applicable laws.
Further information on Mainland criminal law is available through the following links
Serious Accidents and Casualties
If Hong Kong residents are involved in a serious accident or become casualties, they should report to the Public Security authorities immediately. If further assistance is needed, they may contact the Immigration Department, the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing, the Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Shanghai, the Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Wuhan, the Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Chengdu or the Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Guangdong.
In case Hong Kong residents are seriously injured or deceased outside Hong Kong because of accidents or natural disasters, and require financial or welfare assistance, the Hong Kong Immigration Department may assist them or their family members to refer the cases to relevant Departments, including the Home Affairs Department. For more information, please refer to the relevant website at the following link: http://www.hab.gov.hk/en/policy_responsibilities/District_Community_and_Public_Relations/trustfnd.htm#generalchinese
Transfer of Patients from the Mainland to Hong Kong
Cross-boundary patient transfer or ambulance booking service is not available in Hong Kong. If Hong Kong residents are injured or suffering from illness in the Mainland and need ambulance service upon arrival in Hong Kong, they may call the Immigration Department Hotline at (852) 1868 to enquire about the arrangements or seek assistance from duty officers at border control points upon arrival.
The public should handle with great care the transfer of patients in critical conditions back to Hong Kong for medical treatment. Generally speaking, they should consult a doctor beforehand to make sure that the patient is fit for the transfer. Under current arrangements, an ambulance will convey the patient from a border control point to a nearby hospital in Hong Kong for medical treatment.
Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department.
24-Hour Hotline: (852) 1868
Fax: (852) 2519 3536
Email: enquiry@immd.gov.hk
Address:
9/F Immigration Tower
7 Gloucester Road
Wan Chai
Hong Kong
Underpaid mail items will not be accepted by the Immigration Department. For proper delivery of your mail items, please ensure your mail items bear sufficient postage with return address before posting. (Details)
Beijing Office
No. 71, Di'anmen Xidajie
Xicheng District
Beijing, China
Postal Code: 100009
Phone: (8610) 6657 2880 Ext. 032
Fax: (8610) 6657 2823
Email: bjohksar@bjo-hksarg.org.cn
Website: http://www.bjo.gov.hk
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai
21/F, The Headquarters Building
168 Xizang Road (M), Huangpu District
Shanghai, China
Postal Code: 200001
Phone: (8621) 6351 2233 Ext. 160
Fax: (8621) 6351 9368
Email: enquiry@sheto.gov.hk
Website: http://www.sheto.gov.hk
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Wuhan
Unit 4303, Tower I, New World International Trade Tower
568 Jianshe Avenue, Jianghan District
Wuhan, China
Postal Code: 430022
Phone: (8627) 6560 7300 Ext. 7334
Fax: (8627) 6560 7301
Email: enquiry@wheto.gov.hk
Website: http://www.wheto.gov.hk
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Chengdu
38/F, Tower 1, Plaza Central
8 Shuncheng Street
Yan Shi Kou
Chengdu, China
Postal Code: 610016
Phone: (8628) 8676 8301 Ext. 330
Fax: (8628) 8676 8300
Email: general@cdeto.gov.hk
Website: http://www.cdeto.gov.hk/
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong
Flat 7101, Citic Plaza
233 Tian He North Road
Guangzhou, China
Postal Code: 510613
Phone: (8620) 3891 1220 Ext. 638
Fax: (8620) 3877 0466
Email: general@gdeto.gov.hk
Website: http://www.gdeto.gov.hk/
Further information on assistance services for Hong Kong residents who are travelling or staying in the mainland can be downloaded as a brochure through the following link.
Guide to Assistance Services to Hong Kong Residents in the Mainland
Consular protection and services are important safety measures for Hong Kong residents outside of Chinese territory. On this webpage, Hong Kong residents can learn about the scope of consular protection, the specific services and assistance provided, what cannot be provided, what to do in unexpected circumstances, how to find a Chinese embassy or consular mission in the host country, points to remember and where to obtain further information.
Consular protection is the act of diplomatic or consular organs or officers in protecting the national interests and legitimate rights of citizens or legal persons in another country within the limits permitted by international law. When the legitimate rights and interests of a Chinese citizen or legal person are illegally violated in another country, the Chinese diplomatic or consular mission there will, in accordance with customary international law principles, relevant international conventions, bilateral treaties or agreements and the relevant laws of China and the other country, reflect the citizen or legal person's request and urge the related authorities of the other country to handle the issue in a fair, friendly and proper way.
Consular protection also includes assistance rendered by Chinese diplomatic or consular missions to Chinese citizens or legal persons, such as providing information on international travel safety, assisting in employing lawyers and translators, visiting detainees and assisting in evacuating from dangerous places, etc.
A Hong Kong resident who is a Chinese citizen is in need of assistance while abroad, the diplomatic and consular missions of the People's Republic of China can:
Chinese diplomatic or consular missions cannot:
While travelling abroad, Hong Kong residents may meet a number of unexpected circumstances. This section provides information on scenarios they might encounter, and what they should do in them.
Respecting the law
Chinese citizens outside Chinese territory should obey the laws and regulations of the countries they are in, and respect the local customs and practices. They should strictly adhere to the permitted limit of stay granted by the country concerned as specified in their visa or permit of residence.
Stolen Property
If any of his/her property is stolen, the Hong Kong residents should immediately report the theft to the local police and request a copy of the police report. He/she may also contact the Chinese diplomatic or consular mission in the country so that money can be remitted to him/her by his/her family through the diplomatic or consular mission, or transferred to him/her via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Detention or Imprisonment
If a Hong Kong resident commits an offence in another country, he/she must bear the legal consequences. If being arrested or detained for any charge of offence, he/she has the right to request the authorities concerned to meet the consular officers of the Chinese diplomatic or consular mission.
Serious accidents or casualties
In case of serious accidents or casualties for whatever cause happening to the relatives and friends or companions of Hong Kong residents overseas, report should be made to the local police authorities immediately. If further assistance is needed, the parties concerned may contact the Immigration Department and Chinese diplomatic or consular mission in that state.
In case Hong Kong residents are seriously injured or deceased outside Hong Kong because of accidents or natural disasters, and require financial or welfare assistance, the Hong Kong Immigration Department may assist them or their family members to refer the cases to relevant Departments, including the Home Affairs Department. For more information, please refer to the relevant website at the following link: http://www.hab.gov.hk/en/policy_responsibilities/District_Community_and_Public_Relations/trustfnd.htm#generalchinese
Death
If Hong Kong resident dies abroad, the Chinese diplomatic or consular mission in the country concerned may, at request, authenticate the death certificate issued by the local authorities. The diplomatic or consular mission may also provide a list of companies engaging in funeral services.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China provides comprehensive lists of its missions overseas. The following link will lead to information on Chinese diplomatic or consular missions.
When seeking consular protection or services, please pay attention to the following points:
More information on consular protection and services is available through the following links
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hong Kong
Form ID907: Guide to Consular Services and Protection Outside Chinese Territory