Woman denies bribing Hong Kong immigration officers over permanent residency application

“A woman has denied charges of offering bribes to Hong Kong immigration officers over a permanent residency application and obstructing anti-graft officers in the execution of their duties. People speak to employees at the Immigration Department’s headquarters in Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong, on June 11, 2024. Photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Wang Subing, an unemployed 36-year-old, appeared at the Kwun Tong Magistrates’ Courts on Thursday, Ming Pao reported . She was charged with one count of offering an advantage to a public servant and one count of resisting or obstructing officers in the execution of their duties. The case was adjourned to July 20 for a pre-trial review, and the defendant was released on HK$20,000 bail. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) charged Wang on April 1, the anti-graft watchdog said last month. According to the ICAC, she lived in Hong Kong on a student visa between mid-2018 and early 2020. “She later entered Hong Kong as a visitor and had a record of overstaying. The offences took place in 2025,” it said. “At the material time, the defendant was applying for the issuance of a permanent identity card of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.” The Immigration Department rejected her application because Wang did not meet the requirement of seven years’ ordinary residence in Hong Kong. The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC). File photo: Kyle Lam/HKFP. Then, on September 17, Wang handed over a letter to immigration officers with banknotes of HK$1,100 and RMB100 – although applications for permanent residency are free of charge. The ICAC investigated the case after the Immigration Department made a report to the watchdog. Wang is also accused of resisting or obstructing ICAC officers on October 8, when they tried to take her from the Immigration Headquarters in Tseung Kwan O to the ICAC office. Offering an advantage to a public servant in Hong Kong is an offence under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance. Upon conviction, the maximum penalty is seven years’ imprisonment and a fine of HK$500,000.

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