Hong Kong Immigration handles record assistance requests amid Middle East conflict surge
Immigration Department reports 3,160 assistance requests from Hong Kong residents abroad in 2026, with Middle East war driving majority of cases.
The Immigration Department handled around 3,160 assistance requests from Hong Kong residents abroad in the first eight months of 2026, marking a 35 per cent increase over the same period in 2025, with the Middle East conflict accounting for the bulk of the surge.
Director of Immigration Benson Kwok Joon-fung attributed the jump primarily to the military confrontation that erupted when the United States and Israel launched a war against Iran on 28 February. Of the remaining cases not linked to the conflict, half involved lost identity documents, Kwok told reporters.
Global disruption from Middle East war
The conflict disrupted international travel on multiple fronts, rendering Middle Eastern flight hubs unsafe and paralysing shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz while triggering a global fuel crisis.
Recent escalation at the strategic strait has forced Hong Kong flag carrier Cathay Pacific Airways to extend flight cancellations to Dubai and Riyadh through 30 November.
Lost documents complicate travel
Kwok urged residents travelling overseas to safeguard their passports and identity documents, warning that a lost document can prevent departure from certain countries. "It also takes time to reissue the passport. Even though Chinese consulates and the Immigration Department will endeavour to help residents, it still takes some time," the immigration chief said.
Source: South China Morning Post
Frequently asked questions
Why did Hong Kong Immigration assistance requests increase by 35% in the first eight months of 2026?
The surge was primarily driven by the Middle East conflict that erupted on 28 February 2026 when the United States and Israel launched military action against Iran. The conflict disrupted international travel by rendering Middle Eastern flight hubs unsafe and disrupting shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
What other reasons besides the Middle East conflict led to assistance requests?
Of the assistance requests not linked to the conflict, half involved lost or misplaced identity documents and passports.
How has the Middle East conflict affected Hong Kong airline operations?
Cathay Pacific Airways extended flight cancellations to Dubai and Riyadh through 30 November due to the escalation at the Strait of Hormuz, which has made Middle Eastern routes unsafe.
What should Hong Kong residents do to avoid travel complications abroad?
The Director of Immigration advised residents travelling overseas to safeguard their passports and identity documents. A lost document can prevent departure from certain countries and takes considerable time to reissue, even with help from Chinese consulates and the Immigration Department.
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