Request for Urgent Assistance

For Hong Kong residents who meet with accidents (e.g. traffic accident, fire disaster, etc.), other emergencies (e.g. robbery, assault, etc.) or casualties in the Mainland, the parties concerned or their relatives should immediately report to local public security authorities for assistance. For assistance from the police, please dial 110; for ambulance service, dial 120 (fees are generally charged for medical services, which may include ambulance fees and emergency treatment fees); for fire departments, dial 119; and for reporting of traffic accidents, dial 122.

In case you need further assistance, you may contact the Immigration Department of Hong Kong (Immigration Department）, the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing (HKBJO), the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai (SHETO), the Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Chengdu (CDETO), the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Wuhan (WHETO) or the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong (GDETO).

Contact numbers and addresses of the relevant offices are listed below:

Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit
The Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region 24-hour hotline: (852) 1868
Fax: (852) 2519 3536
Address: 9/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
The Immigration Division
The Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 10) 6657 2880 Ext. 032
Fax: (86 10) 6657 2830
Address: 71 Di'anmen Xidajie, Xicheng District, Beijing (Postal code: 100009)
The Immigration Division
The Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Shanghai (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 21) 6351 2233 Ext. 160
Fax: (86 21) 6351 9368
Address: 21/F, The Headquarters Building, 168 Xizang Road (M), Huangpu District, Shanghai (Postal code: 200001)
The Immigration Division
The Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Chengdu (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 28) 8208 6660 8301
Fax: (86 28) 8208 6661
Address: 48/F, Office Tower 2, Chengdu IFS, No.1, Section 3 Hongxing Road, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China (Postal code: 610021)
The Immigration Division
The Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Wuhan (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 27) 6560 7300 Ext. 7334
Fax: (86 27) 6560 7301
Address: Unit 4303, Tower I, New World International Trade Tower, 568 Jianshe Avenue, Jianghan District, Wuhan (Postal code: 430022)
The Immigration Division
The Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Guangdong (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 20) 3891 1220 Ext. 608
Fax: (86 20) 3877 0466
Address: Flat 7101, 71/F, Citic Plaza, 233 Tian He North Road, Guangzhou (Postal code: 510613)

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government has also published the "Guide to Assistance Services to Hong Kong Residents in the Mainland" illustrating what kind of assistance it can provide.

When you are in the Mainland, assistance that can be provided by the HKSAR Government includes:

to issue an Entry Permit for your return to Hong Kong if you lose your identity documents;
to notify your relatives in Hong Kong and advise on the related procedural matters if serious accident or casualty happens to you;
to liaise, on your request, with your relatives and friends in Hong Kong for rendering financial assistance to you;
upon receipt of notification from the law enforcement agencies of the Mainland regarding your detention or arrest, to pass information to your relatives in Hong Kong. Since 2001, the HKSAR Government has, by way of an administrative arrangement and on the basis of mutual respect for the relevant laws of both sides, put in place a reciprocal notification mechanism with the Mainland in respect of cases involving unnatural deaths and imposition of criminal compulsory measures or institution of criminal prosecution on residents from the other side. Please refer to this link for information on the new arrangements on the reciprocal notification mechanism between Hong Kong and the Mainland;
to inquire, on request from your relatives and friends, about the situation of the case for which you are arrested or detained by the law enforcement agencies of the Mainland;
to provide, on request from you or your relatives and friends, information on lawyers in the Mainland;
to provide any other relevant advisory services.

Assistance that cannot be provided by the HKSAR Government includes:

to intervene in the judicial system or administrative operations of the Mainland when providing assistance to Hong Kong residents under the principle of "One Country, Two Systems";
to shield the unlawful act of Hong Kong residents or absolve them from criminal liability;
to get better treatment for Hong Kong residents in hospitals, under detention or in prison than that provided for Mainland residents;
to pay the hotel, legal, medical and travelling expenses or any other bills for Hong Kong residents.

Loss of Identity Documents

Hong Kong residents who lost their Home Return Permits in the Mainland may apply for replacement of the permits at the exit and entry administration of the Ministry of Public Security. Please refer to the website of the National Immigration Administration for details:https://www.nia.gov.cn/n741440/n741542/c1347510/content.html. If the persons concerned do not meet the relevant requirements for application of replacement of Home Return Permits in the Mainland, they may first report the loss of permit to the local public security authorities to obtain a documentary proof, and then apply to the local exit and entry administration or the China Travel Service office in Shenzhen (Address: Shop B5, 2/F, Shenzhen Railway Station; Telephone No.: (86 755) 8234 7136) for the issue of an Exit and Entry Permit to facilitate their return to Hong Kong.

Hong Kong residents who lost their Hong Kong identity cards in the Mainland should report to the Registration of Persons Office and apply for a replacement within 14 days of their return to Hong Kong. Please refer to the website of the Immigration Department for details:https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/hkid/general_info.html.

Hong Kong residents who lost their Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Passports in the Mainland may submit their passport replacement applications to the Office of the Government of the HKSAR in Beijing (“BJO”), the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai (“SHETO”), the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Chengdu (“CDETO”), the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong (“GDETO”) and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Wuhan (“WHETO”) and collect the passports at the respective Mainland office. Please refer to the website of the Immigration Department for details:https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/service/travel_document/mainlandservice.html.

If assistance for returning to Hong Kong, after the loss of identity documents, is needed, the persons concerned may contact the HKBJO, the CDETO, the GDETO, the SHETO , the WHETO or the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department. The HKSAR Government will, on the individual merits of each case, provide necessary assistance and relevant information to them. One of which is that the HKBJO and SHETO can issue an entry permit to Hong Kong residents who have lost their identity documents to facilitate their return to Hong Kong.

Contact numbers and addresses of the relevant offices are listed below:

Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit
The Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region 24-hour hotline: (852) 1868
Fax: (852) 2519 3536
Address: 9/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
The Immigration Division
The Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 10) 6657 2880 Ext. 032
Fax: (86 10) 6657 2830
Address: 71 Di'anmen Xidajie, Xicheng District, Beijing (Postal code: 100009)
The Immigration Division
The Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Shanghai (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 21) 6351 2233 Ext. 160
Fax: (86 21) 6351 9368
Address: 21/F, The Headquarters Building, 168 Xizang Road (M), Huangpu District, Shanghai (Postal code: 200001)
The Immigration Division
The Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Chengdu (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 28) 8208 6660 8301
Fax: (86 28) 8208 6661
Address: 48/F, Office Tower 2, Chengdu IFS, No.1, Section 3 Hongxing Road, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China (Postal code: 610021)
The Immigration Division
The Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Wuhan (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 27) 6560 7300 Ext. 7334
Fax: (86 27) 6560 7301
Address: Unit 4303, Tower I, New World International Trade Tower, 568 Jianshe Avenue, Jianghan District, Wuhan (Postal code: 430022)
The Immigration Division
The Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Guangdong (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 20) 3891 1220 Ext. 608
Fax: (86 20) 3877 0466
Address: Flat 7101, 71/F, Citic Plaza, 233 Tian He North Road, Guangzhou (Postal code: 510613)

Loss of Money

Hong Kong residents who lose their money in the Mainland and need to return to Hong Kong urgently may contact the HKBJO, the SHETO, the CDETO, the WHETO, the GDETO or the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department for assistance. The HKSAR Government can assist the parties concerned to contact their relatives and friends in Hong Kong for rendering financial assistance to meet their needs. If their relatives and friends cannot provide immediate assistance, the HKBJO, the SHETO, the CDETO, the WHETO or the GDETO will, on the individual merits of each case, consider allocating an appropriate amount of disbursement to help them return to Hong Kong as soon as possible. However, they must undertake in writing to repay the disbursed amount as early as they can.

Contact numbers and addresses of the relevant offices are listed below:

Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit
The Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region 24-hour hotline: (852) 1868
Fax: (852) 2519 3536
Address: 9/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
The Immigration Division
The Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 10) 6657 2880 Ext. 032
Fax: (86 10) 6657 2830
Address: 71 Di'anmen Xidajie, Xicheng District, Beijing (Postal code: 100009)
The Immigration Division
The Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Shanghai (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 21) 6351 2233 Ext. 160
Fax: (86 21) 6351 9368
Address: 21/F, The Headquarters Building, 168 Xizang Road (M), Huangpu District, Shanghai (Postal code: 200001)
The Immigration Division
The Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Chengdu (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 28) 8208 6660 8301
Fax: (86 28) 8208 6661
Address: 48/F, Office Tower 2, Chengdu IFS, No.1, Section 3 Hongxing Road, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China (Postal code: 610021)
The Immigration Division
The Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Wuhan (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 27) 6560 7300 Ext. 7334
Fax: (86 27) 6560 7301
Address: Unit 4303, Tower I, New World International Trade Tower, 568 Jianshe Avenue, Jianghan District, Wuhan (Postal code: 430022)
The Immigration Division
The Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Guangdong (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 20) 3891 1220 Ext. 608
Fax: (86 20) 3877 0466
Address: Flat 7101, 71/F, Citic Plaza, 233 Tian He North Road, Guangzhou (Postal code: 510613)

Under Arrest or Detention

Hong Kong residents who are arrested or detained for being involved in criminal cases in the Mainland may contact the HKBJO, the SHETO ,the CDETO, the WHETO, the GDETO or the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department for assistance. The HKSAR Government can provide the following assistance to the parties concerned or their families:

upon receipt of notification from the law enforcement agencies of the Mainland regarding the detention or arrest of the parties concerned, to pass information to their relatives in Hong Kong. Since 2001, the HKSAR Government has, by way of an administrative arrangement and on the basis of mutual respect for the relevant laws of both sides, put in place a reciprocal notification mechanism with the Mainland in respect of cases involving unnatural deaths and imposition of criminal compulsory measures or institution of criminal prosecution on residents from the other side. Please refer to this link for information on the new arrangements on the reciprocal notification mechanism between Hong Kong and the Mainland;
to inquire, on request from the relatives and friends of the parties concerned, about the situation of the case for which the parties concerned are arrested or detained by the law enforcement agencies of the Mainland;
to provide, on request from the parties concerned or their relatives and friends, information on solicitors in the Mainland;
to provide any other relevant advisory services.

Hong Kong residents who are arrested or detained for any charge of criminal offence in the Mainland may request the public security authorities to notify their families as stipulated in the laws, and they have the right to engage solicitors for legal services. The solicitors are also entitled to meet with or write to their clients as well as get the access to, copy an excerpt from and take photocopies of materials related to the case, collect evidence, participate in the court's inquiries and defend their clients, and request for terminating or altering compulsory measures imposed on their clients who have been detained longer than the stipulated period. According to the laws and regulations of the Mainland, solicitors practising in Hong Kong are not allowed to provide legal services to the parties concerned in the capacity of a solicitor.

Where necessary, the parties concerned or their families may reflect any requests and views on the case to the relevant authorities through the HKSAR Government.

Reference: "General information on the Mainland criminal laws and regulations relating to persons arrested or under detention" (Chinese Version Only)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1:

I am a Hong Kong resident in distress in the Mainland. What kind of assistance can the HKSAR Government provide for me?

A1:

When you are in the Mainland, assistance that can be provided by the HKSAR Government includes:

to issue an Entry Permit for your return to Hong Kong if you lose your identity documents;
to notify your relatives in Hong Kong and advise on the related procedural matters if serious accident or casualty happens to you;
to liaise, on your request, with your relatives and friends in Hong Kong for rendering financial assistance to you;
upon receipt of notification from the law enforcement agencies of the Mainland regarding your detention or arrest, to pass information to your relatives in Hong Kong. Since 2001, the HKSAR Government has, by way of an administrative arrangement and on the basis of mutual respect for the relevant laws of both sides, put in place a reciprocal notification mechanism with the Mainland in respect of cases involving unnatural deaths and imposition of criminal compulsory measures or institution of criminal prosecution on residents from the other side. Please refer to this link for information on the new arrangements on the reciprocal notification mechanism between Hong Kong and the Mainland;
to inquire, on request from your relatives and friends, about the situation of the case for which you are arrested or detained by the law enforcement agencies of the Mainland;
to provide, on request from you or your relatives and friends, information on lawyers in the Mainland;
to provide any other relevant advisory services.

Assistance that cannot be provided by the HKSAR Government includes:

to intervene in the judicial system or administrative operations of the Mainland when providing assistance to Hong Kong residents under the principle of "One Country, Two Systems";
to shield the unlawful act of Hong Kong residents or absolve them from criminal liability;
to get better treatment for Hong Kong residents in hospitals, under detention or in prison than that provided for Mainland residents;
to pay the hotel, legal, medical and travelling expenses or any other bills for Hong Kong residents.

Q2:

What should Hong Kong residents do if they meet with accidents (e.g. traffic accident, fire disaster, etc.), other emergencies (e.g. robbery, assault, etc.) or casualties in the Mainland?

A2:

For Hong Kong residents who have met with accidents (e.g. traffic accident, fire disaster, etc.), other emergencies (e.g. robbery, assault, etc.) or casualties in the Mainland, the parties concerned or their relatives should report to local public security authorities for assistance. For assistance from the police, please dial 110; for ambulance service, dial 120 (fees are generally charged for medical services, which may include ambulance fees and emergency treatment fees); for fire departments, dial 119; and for reporting of traffic accidents, dial 122.

In case you need further assistance, you may contact the Immigration Department, the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Shanghai ,the Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Chengdu, the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Wuhan or the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Guangdong.

Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit
The Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region 24-hour hotline: (852) 1868
Fax: (852) 2519 3536
Address: 9/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
The Immigration Division
The Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 10) 6657 2880 Ext. 032
Fax: (86 10) 6657 2830
Address: 71 Di'anmen Xidajie, Xicheng District, Beijing (Postal code: 100009)
The Immigration Division
The Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Shanghai (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 21) 6351 2233 Ext. 160
Fax: (86 21) 6351 9368
Address: 21/F, The Headquarters Building, 168 Xizang Road (M), Huangpu District, Shanghai (Postal code: 200001)
The Immigration Division
The Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Chengdu (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 28) 8208 6660 8301
Fax: (86 28) 8208 6661
Address: 48/F, Office Tower 2, Chengdu IFS, No.1, Section 3 Hongxing Road, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China (Postal code: 610021)
The Immigration Division
The Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Wuhan (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 27) 6560 7300 Ext. 7334
Fax: (86 27) 6560 7301
Address: Unit 4303, Tower I, New World International Trade Tower, 568 Jianshe Avenue, Jianghan District, Wuhan (Postal code: 430022)
The Immigration Division
The Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Guangdong (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 20) 3891 1220 Ext. 608
Fax: (86 20) 3877 0466
Address: Flat 7101, 71/F, Citic Plaza, 233 Tian He North Road, Guangzhou (Postal code: 510613)

You may also contact the emergency support centre of your insurance company if you have taken out any relevant insurance.

Q3:

What kind of assistance can the HKSAR Government provide for Hong Kong residents who injured or suffering from illness in the Mainland and wish to return to Hong Kong for medical treatment?

A3:

For Hong Kong residents who have injured or suffering from illness in the Mainland, you should first seek medical treatment in a nearby hospital. Generally speaking, you should consult a doctor beforehand to ensure that the patient is fit for travel before making arrangement to return to Hong Kong.

Cross-boundary patient transfer or ambulance booking service is not available in Hong Kong. If you, your companions, friends or relatives are injured or suffering from illness in the Mainland and need ambulance service upon arrival in Hong Kong, you may call the Immigration Department Hotline at (852) 1868, the HKBJO, the SHETO, the CDETO, the WHETO or the GDETO to enquire about the arrangements or seek assistance from duty officers at Hong Kong control points upon arrival. Under current arrangements, an ambulance will convey the patient from a control point to a nearby hospital in Hong Kong for medical treatment.

Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit
The Immigration Department of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region 24-hour hotline: (852) 1868
Fax: (852) 2519 3536
Address: 9/F, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong
The Immigration Division
The Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Beijing (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 10) 6657 2880 Ext. 032
Fax: (86 10) 6657 2830
Address: 71 Di'anmen Xidajie, Xicheng District, Beijing (Postal code: 100009)
The Immigration Division
The Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Shanghai (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 21) 6351 2233 Ext. 160
Fax: (86 21) 6351 9368
Address: 21/F, The Headquarters Building, 168 Xi Zang Road (M), Huangpu District, Shanghai (Postal code: 200001)
The Immigration Division
The Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Chengdu (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 28) 8208 6660 8301
Fax: (86 28) 8208 6661
Address: 48/F, Office Tower 2, Chengdu IFS, No.1, Section 3 Hongxing Road, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China (Postal code: 610021)
The Immigration Division
The Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Wuhan (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 27) 6560 7300 Ext. 7334
Fax: (86 27) 6560 7301
Address: Unit 4303, Tower I, New World International Trade Tower, 568 Jianshe Avenue, Jianghan District, Wuhan (Postal code: 430022)
The Immigration Division
The Economic and Trade Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Guangdong (During office hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays)
Tel: (86 20) 3891 1220 Ext. 608
Fax: (86 20) 3877 0466
Address: Flat 7101, 71/F, Citic Plaza, 233 Tian He North Road, Guangzhou (Postal code: 510613)

You may also contact the emergency support centre of your insurance company if you have taken out any relevant insurance.

Q4:

What kind of assistance can the HKSAR Government provide for Hong Kong residents who die in the Mainland?

A4:

The HKSAR Government can help notify the deceased's relatives in Hong Kong and advise on the procedural matters (e.g. applying for a death certificate, claiming the body of the deceased, etc.).

Q5:

I am a Hong Kong resident and lost my identity document in the Mainland. What should I do?

A5:

If you have lost your identity document in the Mainland, you should first report it to the public security authorities and obtain a documentary proof of the report of loss. If assistance for returning to Hong Kong, after the loss, is needed, you may call (8620) 3891 1220 Ext. 608 during office hours (8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; 1:30p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Mainland public holidays) to contact the Immigration Division of the Office of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in Guangdong. You may also contact the Assistance to Hong Kong Residents Unit of the Immigration Department through the 24-hour hotline (852) 1868 for assistance. The Immigration Department will provide you with information and assistance regarding the processing of travel document.

Q6:

I am a Hong Kong resident and have lost my money in the Mainland. Can the Guangdong Office provide any financial assistance?

A6:

The Guangdong Office can assist to contact your relatives and friends in Hong Kong for rendering financial assistance to meet your needs. If your relatives and friends cannot provide immediate assistance, the Guangdong Office will, on the individual merits of each case, consider allocating an appropriate amount of disbursement to help you return to Hong Kong as soon as possible. However, you must undertake in writing to repay the disbursed amount as early as you can.

Q7:

If Hong Kong residents are arrested or detained for any charge of criminal offence in the Mainland, what should they do?

A7:

Hong Kong residents who are arrested or detained for any charge of criminal offence may request the public security authorities to notify their families as stipulated in the laws. The solicitors are also entitled to meet with or write to their clients as well as get the access to, copy an excerpt from and take photocopies of materials related to the case, collect evidence, participate in the court's inquiries and defend their clients, and request for terminating or altering compulsory measures imposed on their clients who have been detained longer than the stipulated period. According to the laws and regulations of the Mainland, solicitors practicing in Hong Kong are not allowed to provide legal services to the parties concerned in the capacity of a solicitor.

Where necessary, the parties concerned or their families may reflect any requests and views on the case to the relevant authorities through the HKSAR Government.

Reference: "General information on the Mainland criminal laws and regulations relating to persons arrested or under detention" (Chinese Version Only)

Q8:

I am a Hong Kong resident being detained in the Mainland. What kind of assistance can the HKSAR Government provide?

A8:

The HKSAR Government can provide the following assistance to you and your families:

upon receipt of notification from the law enforcement agencies of the Mainland regarding your detention or arrest, to pass information to your relatives in Hong Kong. Since 2001, the HKSAR Government has, by way of an administrative arrangement and on the basis of mutual respect for the relevant laws of both sides, put in place a reciprocal notification mechanism with the Mainland in respect of cases involving unnatural deaths and imposition of criminal compulsory measures or institution of criminal prosecution on residents from the other side. Please refer to this link for information on the new arrangements on the reciprocal notification mechanism between Hong Kong and the Mainland;
to inquire, on request from your relatives and friends, about the situation of the case for which you are arrested or detained by the law enforcement agencies of the Mainland;
to provide, on request from you or your relatives and friends, information on solicitors in the Mainland;
to provide any other relevant advisory services.