Nepalese in Hong Kong

There is a moderate ethnic minority population of Nepalese people in Hong Kong (referred to as 'Hong Kong Nepalese'), forming roughly 0.5% of the total population (approximately 40,000 Hong Kong Nepalese citizens). They primarily came to the territory as part of the Gurkha brigade of the British Army. After the handover in 1997, they were permitted to stay in Hong Kong. Majority of the Nepali population of Hong Kong are the children and grandchildren of Gurkha soldiers who were fierce fighters serving the British Army from 1814.

Nepalese are not totally invisible in the society; they are visible in media discourse as well as the government policies. Also, they are relatively organized, having established their own NGOs to fight for their rights. The Nepalese are one of the fastest growing ethnic minorities in Hong Kong.

Nepalese people began to come to Hong Kong in the 1960s, as part of the British Army's Brigade of Gurkhas. They continued in this employment until 1997. Their primary duties were to deter illegal immigrants and protect local residents. Most of them lived in Whitfield Barracks and Shek Kong Barracks.

After 30 June 1997, the British Government withdrew from Hong Kong and the Gurkha brigade disbanded. These Gurkhas and their children had the right to take up residence in Hong Kong. Also in 2008, a law of the UK was passed which claimed that those Gurkhas retired before 1997 would be eligible to live in United Kingdom as citizens.

Nepalese who choose to stay in Hong Kong want to take root there, especially if their children were born in Hong Kong. They have Hong Kong Identity Cards but their nationality is still Nepalese. Without Chinese nationality, they are ineligible to apply for an SAR passport or a ‘home return permit’ .

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