Hong Kong Deports 30 Vietnamese Over Failed Non-Refoulement Claims

Hong Kong’s Immigration Department (ImmD) confirmed on 24 April that it chartered a removal flight sending 30 Vietnamese nationals back to Hanoi after their non-refoulement claims were rejected. The operation, conducted with Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security and a local carrier, is the largest single-day repatriation since COVID-19 border rules were lifted in early 2024. All 30 individuals had entered Hong Kong irregularly between 2021 and 2025 and later filed protection claims citing persecution. After exhaustive screening and appeal procedures, the ImmD determined that none faced substantiated risks upon return. Under Hong Kong’s Unified Screening Mechanism, unsuccessful claimants are subject to swift removal to curb prolonged over-stay and illegal work. For employers, the case is a timely reminder to verify right-to-work documents. The government is stepping up audits, and directors can face fines of up to HK $500,000 and 10 years’ imprisonment for employing someone not lawfully employable. Mobility managers should conduct quarterly internal compliance checks and ensure dependent visa holders are aware of permitted work scopes. The mass deportation also signals deepening cooperation between Hong Kong and source countries. In a joint statement, both sides pledged to streamline travel document issuance and share biometric data—measures likely to accelerate removals in future. Companies assisting Vietnamese assignees in Hong Kong should expect tighter document scrutiny at entry and departure points. Separately, ImmD said it will keep liaising with airlines to secure dedicated seats on commercial flights for smaller removal batches, minimising disruption to regular passenger services. Carriers may require passenger-manifest updates earlier than usual, so travel coordinators should monitor any knock-on schedule changes.