The Immigration (Amendment) Ordinance 2009, designed to prevent illegal immigrants from working, was gazetted today and will take effect tomorrow.

This year has seen a surge in the number of foreign illegal immigrants. The monthly average has risen from 37 in January and February to 135 from March to September, and 159 in October.

The Security Bureau said the ordinance will help contain the problem.

Illegal immigrants taking up employment will be liable to three years' jail and a $50,000 fine.

Under the ordinance, the definition of "valid travel document" will also cover Macau permanent identity cards. The tentative plan is, from early December, permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau will not be required to fill in immigration forms and can instead enrol to use immigration e-channels.