Purna Basnet

Surprised over the sharp increase in the number of Nepali nationals over past one year, Hong Kong Government recently put forth its concern with Nepali Consulate General Office in Hong Kong.

The concerns of Hong Kong Government came after the number of Nepali nationals living in Hong Kong reached to some 31,000, up from 17,000 two years ago. 

According to Nepali Consulate in Hong Kong, the Immigration Department of Hong Kong Government itself is stunned by the rise in number of Nepali nationals.

Consular Kiran Shakya informed that Immigration officials in Hong Kong recently inquired with them about latest political situation in Nepal after they found that the number of Nepalis had gone up sharply.

A statistics availed by Immigration Department sources showed that a total 12,000 Nepalis arrived in Honk Kong on dependent visas from March 2009 to May 2010 alone. The statistics also showed the number of Nepalis that stood at 17,555 in February, 2009, reached 29,433 in May, 2010.

Sources at Hong Kong Immigration said the number of Nepalis residing in Hong Kong by taking Hong Kong Identity Card stands at 30,756 as of February, 2011. This does not include the number of Nepalis who are living with refugee status and those claiming they would be tortured if they returned to Nepal.

Shakya said though the growth of Nepalis in Hong Kong looks unnatural there is no ground to cast doubt on the statistics of Hong Kong Immigration.

He said that on an average only two Nepalis a week approached them before but these days one Nepali a day approaches them for verifying their documents.

“The newly-arrived Nepalis are mostly youths. Government officials here seem optimistic as the newly arrived Nepalis possess good English language skills,” said Shakya.

Known as one of the expensive cities in the world, Hong Kong has been an attractive destination for Nepalis in view of social security and income. Only those possessing British Overseas Visa and those serving as Gurkha soldier during British colonial rule can reside permanently in Hong Kong after receiving Hong Kong ID. The flow Nepalis coming to Hong Kong as domestic help or laborer has stopped as Hong Kong government no longer issues such visas.

The process of Nepalis, who possess British Overseas Visas, going to Britain from Hong Kong, has been continuing these days. According to a statistics availed by British Consulate in Hong Kong, over 1,500 Nepalis chose to take British passport in the past one year alone.

Family members of British Gurkha soldiers, mostly from Pokhara, Dharan, Butwal, began living in Hong Kong since 15 years ago. It is believed that the number of Nepalis rose in Hong Kong as Nepali nationals already living in Hong Kong began inviting family members and acquaintances owing to easy availability of job opportunities.

Likewise, the growing divorce rate among Nepalis in Hong Kong has also contributed to the growth of Nepalis there as divorcees tend to marry with Nepali nationals and take them to Hong Kong.