Originally Posted by
kaka
this is normal procedure if you exited HK (as opposed to a transit), as they need to cancel your exit record.
for transit they only need to accept you (enter hk).
aligns with many other normal countries in my experience, even at irrops.
I agree with you.
An immigration officer mentioned that they were also routinely checking the overall "profile". I assume that they were checking if I had done anything like this before. But my impression is that they also have instructions to "delay" pax, even PR. During my wait, some other pax from different airlines showed up and had to wait. A couple had missed their flight and had to go back landside to make new arrangements, very upset with the long wait. One had forgotten her handbag landside and that reminded me of a famous incident..