Exercise increased caution when traveling to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) due to the a rbitrary enforcement of local laws.
Exercise increased cautionwhen traveling to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
Exercise increased caution due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
- Hong Kong SAR authorities have passed laws that limit people’s civil liberties. The laws apply to anyone in Hong Kong, including foreigners. Authorities have also issued arrest warrants for individuals, including U.S. citizens, located outside of Hong Kong for activities undertaken overseas.
- U.S. government employees must follow the policies established by their Department or Agency regarding official or personal travel to China, including to Hong Kong SAR.
National security laws and restriction of civil liberties
Since 2020, Hong Kong SAR authorities have taken away many freedoms from people living there.
On June 30, 2020, China imposed the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR. On March 23, 2024, Hong Kong passed another similar law. Both laws list many crimes that are vaguely defined. The crimes include:
- Trying to break apart China (acts of secession)
- Working against the government (subversion)
- Terrorism
- Working with other countries against China (collusion with foreign entities)
- Betraying the country (treason)
- Stealing government secrets
- Insurrection
- Sabotage against public infrastructure
- External interference
On March 23, 2026, the Hong Kong government changed the implementing rules relating to the Hong Kong National Security Law. It is now a criminal offense in national security cases to refuse to give the Hong Kong police passwords or not assist in decryption to allow authorities full access to all personal electronic devices, including cellphones and laptops.
This legal change applies to everyone, including U.S. citizens, in Hong Kong, upon arrival, or just transiting Hong Kong International Airport. In addition, the Hong Kong government also has more authority to take and keep any personal devices, as evidence, that they claim are linked to national security offenses.
China applies its national security laws to everyone in Hong Kong SAR, including foreigners. China may also attempt to apply these laws to people who do not live in Hong Kong – including U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
If you say anything critical about China or Hong Kong SAR, you could be arrested, detained, kicked out, or prosecuted.
Hong Kong SAR authorities have issued arrest warrants for people who live in other countries and are alleged to be violating these laws. This includes U.S. citizens and permanent residents living outside their jurisdiction. Hong Kong SAR authorities are offering cash rewards to anyone who gives information that helps them arrest these people if they come to Hong Kong SAR.
Dual nationality
The Hong Kong SAR government does not recognize dual nationality. Dual U.S.-Chinese citizens and U.S. citizens of Chinese descent may be subject to additional security procedures and harassment. If you are a dual U.S.-Chinese citizen and enter Hong Kong SAR on a U.S. passport, and you are detained or arrested, Chinese authorities must notify the U.S. Embassy or a U.S. Consulate General of your detention. They must allow U.S. consular officials to have access to you.
Even if you enter on a U.S. passport, U.S. consular officers may not have access to you. For more information, visit Consular Protection and Right of Abode in HK(SAR) for Dual Nationals – U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau.
Demonstrations
Participating in demonstrations or other activities that authorities interpret as constituting an act of secession, subversion, terrorism, or collusion with a foreign country could result in criminal charges under the 2020 Hong Kong National Security Law, the 2024 Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, or other legal provisions. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid demonstrations.