FIRST TIME ASYLUM APPLICATIONS

APPLY FOR ASYLUM

If you are afraid to go back to your home country because you might be killed, tortured or seriously harmed, or your human rights will be seriously restricted, you can apply for asylum. In Hong Kong, you do this by making a Non-refoulement claim under the Unified Screening Mechanism (USM).

This section is a guide to making a Non-refoulement claim in Hong Kong for asylum seekers.

  • You must consider your options very carefully.

    The success rate for non-refoulement Claims in Hong Kong is very low and this application may adversely impact other immigration options.

    If you are successful, your case may be referred to UNHCR and they may assist you to move to another country. It is likely that this will take many years. You will not receive a Hong Kong identity card.

    If you are unsuccessful, you may be sent back to your home country and might not be able to come to Hong Kong again in the future.

    You cannot work in Hong Kong while you are waiting for a decision. If your Non-refoulement Claim is approved, you may apply for permission to work where you have a job offer.

    The Government will provide only very limited housing and food support while your case is pending.

    You may be detained by the Immigration Department. If this happens, it is usually for a short period of time, but may be difficult to predict and is sometimes much longer.

STEPS TO MAKE A NON-REFOULEMENT CLAIM

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© Wenjin Wang