If there is a risk that a child in respect of whom you have rights of custody might be removed from Hong Kong, take one or more of the following steps -
- ensure that any court order or agreement concerning custody and access is drawn up clearly to avoid disputes*;
- ensure that the relevant Hong Kong court order prohibits the removal of the child from Hong Kong without your consent or without a written undertaking to the court to bring the child back, or directs that you may request the Immigration Department of Hong Kong not to issue a travel document to the child without your consent, and inform the Immigration Department promptly once such an order is made (click here for contact information for delivering a sealed copy of a court order to the Immigration Department)*;
- consider making an application for a stop order or an injunction to restrain another person from removing the child from Hong Kong and inform the Immigration Department promptly once such an order is made (click here for contact information for delivering a sealed copy of a court order to the Immigration Department)*;
- if the child has a foreign nationality, consider contacting the appropriate embassy, consulate or passport office to enquire the possibility of denial of travel documents;
- seek intervention and counselling services from social workers in case of disputes over access arrangements;
- always keep the travel document(s) of the child in a safe place.