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Travelling to Hong Kong? Here's what you need to know

A guide to help you prepare for your entry into the city

International travellers are free to come to Hong Kong, and there are no more restrictions upon arrival.  If you have some enquiries about travelling to the city, we've compiled a guide to help you with everything you need to know when entering Hong Kong, from things to prepare before arriving at Hong Kong International Airport to all the steps you must take as soon as you land.  

RECOMMENDED:  Keep updated with the  latest Covid-19 measures in the city . 

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Who can visit Hong Kong now?

Hong Kong has already dropped the vaccination requirement for Hongkongers and international arrivals. Unvaccinated residents and non-residents will be able to enter the city without restriction .  

What are the requirements to enter Hong Kong?

With Covid-19 measures now eased in Hong Kong, including arrival restrictions, international travellers looking to explore the city are now free to enter. Of course, if your country requires a visa to visit Hong Kong,  please obtain one before your trip . 

Negative RAT or RT-PCR test results before boarding are no longer required . 

Will they allow entry if my visa is expiring?

If you're not a permanent Hong Kong resident and travelling under a work or tourist visa, ensure your visa has a sufficient validity period, or you will be denied entry. 

The Immigration Department (ImmD) provides electronic services for visa application and 'e-Visa' arrangements , allowing applicants to complete the entire process without going to the immigration office in person. Suppose your visa is under renewal and is getting delayed. It is best to send an authorised representative to the ImmD office to fix your reentry as emails and phone calls will take a long time. 

Visit this link to see ImmD online services for acquiring Hong Kong visas. 

Can arrivals move freely around the city?

Yes, Covid-19 regulations have already eased in Hong Kong. You can freely  explore all the incredible things to do in the city . Mask-wearing mandate, the last major rule to fight against Covid-19, has been lifted since March 1. 

For more clarity,  here's our guide on everything you need to know  about Hong Kong's current Covid-19 restrictions. 

Do I still need to take Covid-19 tests?

You don't need to present negative Covid-19 results when you arrive at the Hong Kong airport, but the government recommends taking daily RAT until the fifth day of arrival (arrival date count as Day 0). Those who take the test may voluntarily declare the result  via the Department of Health's Electronic Covid-19 Monitoring & Surveillance System (eCMSS) .  

Ok, so you finally booked your flight, what to do next?

To ensure a smooth and efficient arrival, prepare all your travel documents, including visa for non-Hong Kong residents. 

What time should I go to the airport for departure? 

Delays, cancellations, and a whole lot of waiting may happen before departure, so make sure to be at the airport at least three hours before your flight. Account for extra time if you encounter any problems with airline check-in. 

Arrival at Hong Kong International Airport

Yes, you're finally in Hong Kong, but not just yet. You still have a few more steps to finish before entering. Though the new system significantly cuts the waiting time in the airport, the influx of inbound travellers may affect processing time.

After landing, all inbound persons will pass through temperature checks upon arrival. Those with symptoms will be referred to the Department of Health for further handling. If you're cleared, you can proceed with immigration procedures, baggage collection, and continue taking public transportation to your hotel or home.

What are the options for airport transfers?

Travellers arriving in the city can take public transport to their destination. Those who want a limousine service can contact their hotels for arrangements.  One of the fastest ways to travel from the Airport to the city is through Airport Express.

Find more information  here . 

What if I tested positive for Covid-19?

Hong Kong government no longer issue isolation orders to infected Covid-19 cases since January 30. The government advises symptomatic persons to stay at home to rest and avoid going out. Those who are asymptomatic can go out at will or go to work.

If you belong to high-risk groups and suffer from fever, cough, shortness of breath, vomiting, and diarrhoea, the government recommends that you seek medical attention. 

For more information, visit this  link .   

Got more questions?

The government has set up a page for all your questions about inbound travel to Hong Kong . Due to the changing nature of Covid-19 measures, please  visit this link  to keep updated with the latest travel regulations. 

Feel free to roam Hong Kong!  These itineraries will give you a dose of inspiration . Looking for hotel accommodations during your trip?  Here's a guide to some of our favourite Hong Kong hotels  – all tried and tested by our editors. You can also check out   the most romantic hotels  in the city or schedule a weekend getaway from the  best beachside hotels ,  boutique hotels , or  luxury camping spots in town .  

You've been gone a while, here's what's new in HK

50 Most incredible things to do in Hong Kong

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The best places to eat in the city, from traditional Japanese and fine French to hipster hangouts, hidden gems, and everything else in between.

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The latest and greatest restaurants to get stuck into this month

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A  list of new drinking dens to add to your bar-hopping itinerary. 

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I Traveled to Hong Kong As Soon As It Reopened to American Travelers, Here's What It Was Like

What you need to know about getting to Hong Kong right now, and what to do once you're on the ground.

DuKai photographer/Getty Images

After nearly three years, Hong Kong’s entry restrictions have been fully lifted, testing requirements are no more, and hotels, bars, and restaurants have their doors wide open. United Airlines also announced plans to restart flights to Hong Kong in March, and flag carrier Cathay Pacific will increase capacity throughout 2023, reaching 70 percent of pre-pandemic passenger numbers by end of year. 

While change is inevitable after years of isolation, travelers to this fiercely metropolitan city will find so much to love. Now is the time to visit — or revisit — this cosmopolitan megacity. 

What It’s Like in Hong Kong Right Now — and What to Know About Entry and Exit

The path to Hong Kong's reopening has been far from easy. Since 2019, Hong Kongers have faced seemingly insurmountable challenges. First, the government outright suppressed a pro-democracy movement, banning political demonstration and arresting those who defied. Then, the outbreak of the pandemic, along with subsequent extreme restrictions, forced the city’s residents into lockdown for months on end — and kept travelers at bay. 

It’s no doubt the one-two punch of political turmoil and a pandemic knocked Hong Kong down temporarily. But for the first time in years, Hong Kongers — and those visiting — have good reason to get back up swinging (and exploring) again. That’s because there’s a resurgent cultural and museum scene, new or refurbished landmark luxury hotels, and at the moment, fewer crowds to get in the way of it all. 

I arrived in early January, nostalgic and eager, to a quiet Hong Kong International Airport to discover that, at least on the surface, not much has changed since my last visit in mid-2019. There are no tests to take, no paperwork to fill out, and no apps to download. While tourists have yet to return in droves, the metropolis still has a steady pulse. I felt that energy as I criss-crossed Hong Kong Island from Kennedy Town to Causeway Bay on a “ding-ding tram” and sailed through Victoria Harbor on my favorite mode of transportation, the long-beloved Star Ferry, between Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. In many ways, it feels like the ideal situation; the day-to-day fast-paced life of Hong Kong remains without the out-of-towners adding overwhelming volume to the city. 

The city’s vibrant streetscape — with throngs of pedestrians sharing the same thoroughfare as double decker buses and signature red taxis — hasn’t changed too much either. Hong Kong is a transportation lover’s dream where multi-modal transit and pedestrians coexist in organized chaos. Des Voeux Road at rush hour is still filled with the local after-work office crowd on their way to happy hour and dinner. After all, Hong Kongers, by the very nature of their small apartments, love to eat and drink out. It’s not all the same, though. While some of the city’s most popular pre-pandemic markets have thankfully survived — like the Temple Street Night Market in Jordan or Flower Market in Mong Kok — they don’t have the bustling energy and crowds that they used to, at least not yet.

The New Places to Stay in Hong Kong 

Courtesy of Mandarin Oriental

Several high-end luxury hotels have either come on the scene, or thoroughly refreshed their offerings since the city’s pandemic-induced lockdown. Both Rosewood Hong Kong and the St. Regis Hong Kong debuted in 2019, less than a year before travel to the region came to a halt. Last May, the Fullerton Ocean Park Hong Kong opened with 425 rooms and an inviting infinity pool overlooking the South China Sea. Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong , celebrating its 60th anniversary this year, unveiled a revamped food and beverage offering mid-pandemic, including an impressive top-floor Japanese izakaya restaurant concept with three distinct bars and sweeping views of the city. The hotel will also embark on a room modernization project later in 2023. And after its biggest transformation in 30 years, Regent’s flagship Hong Kong hotel (the former Intercontinental) is in the midst of its much-anticipated soft reopening. 

What to See and Do in Hong Kong Right Now

On the culture and heritage front, there has been a trove of recent developments. Few neighborhoods are more symbolic of Hong Kong’s new museum renaissance than West Kowloon . This cultural district created from reclaimed land, set across 100 acres, will be home to 17 arts, culture, and performance venues when complete. The centerpiece is the M+ contemporary art museum , Asia’s first venue dedicated to visual culture, which opened in November 2021. 

Across the harbor on Hong Kong Island, there is a hum of activity, too. Tai Kwun Center for Heritage and Arts, where 16 historic colonial-era buildings in the center of the city were converted to a multi-purpose enclave of buzzy exhibitions and galleries, alongside an array of international restaurants and bars, opened in mid-2018. An art exhibition focused on LGBTQ perspectives, called “Myth Makers - Spectrosynthesis III,” was a personal Tai Kwun highlight and shouldn’t be missed. 

Just up the road from Tai Kwun is the new, sixth-generation Peak Tram, Asia’s oldest funicular railway and one of Hong Kong’s most popular attractions pre-pandemic. The refreshed panoramic tram, with capacity for 210 passengers, opened in August 2022. For a little more adventure, consider hiking up to the Peak, enjoying a Hong Kong-style milk tea at Hong Kong Day, and taking the scenic tram down.

Digging deeper into the hearts and minds of many Hong Kongers, you may find a less rosy picture of the city, one in which leaders have restricted the rights to complete freedom of expression. However, the people here are rebellious by nature, and they openly spoke of their frustrations when prompted. Friends even told me how they have their own silent ways to revolt, such as supporting small businesses that embrace the color yellow, a hue symbolic of the pro-democracy movement. For all that Hong Kongers have had to endure (and will continue to endure), now feels like the best time to visit and show your support. Everything else the city offers is just the icing on top. 

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Follow our news, recent searches, visiting hong kong soon here's what you need to know about the revised entry rules, advertisement.

While arrivals no longer face restrictions on moving around - provided they test negative for COVID-19 - there are still several regulations in force.

Passengers arriving at Hong Kong International Airport on Dec 8, 2022. (Photo: AFP/Isaac Lawrence)

Ashley Tham

SINGAPORE: From Wednesday (Dec 14), international passengers arriving in Hong Kong will no longer face COVID-19 movement controls following the axing of a mandatory mobile application.

Travellers were previously issued an "amber code", which meant they could not visit venues like restaurants or bars for their first three days in Hong Kong. 

Health Secretary Lo Chung-mau said on Tuesday that "international arrivals don't have any restrictions" after the easing of COVID-19 rules.

"So the same day they step off the aircraft, they are free to enter any premises," he added.

While arrivals no longer face restrictions on moving around - provided they test negative for COVID-19 -  there are still several regulations in force.

Inbound travellers to Hong Kong have to be fully vaccinated and undergo a pre-departure Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) within 24 hours before the scheduled time of departure.

After submitting their negative test result and vaccination records via a health and quarantine declaration form, a green health declaration QR code will be generated for visitors for presentation at their airline check-in counter. 

Upon arrival, they must take a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test at the Hong Kong International Airport and on their third day in the city. 

The PCR tests can be conducted at community testing centres, mobile specimen collection stations or any recognised local medical testing institution.

Travellers are also required to undertake RAT testing for the first five days of their visit and report the results through Hong Kong's electronic COVID-19 Medical Surveillance System. 

Snap Insight: Hong Kong lifts all travel curbs – could this be the test balloon for China’s reopening?

Here's everything new you'll want to experience when you're in Hong Kong

Masks are also still compulsory both indoors and outdoors, unless engaging in exercise or in country parks, while group gatherings are currently capped at 12 people. However, people are able to go to nightclubs and banquets. 

For those intending to visit eateries or drinking establishments, Mr Lo said visitors will "need to show a photograph or paper record of their COVID-19 vaccines at some venues which require it".

Hong Kong has followed closely in China's footsteps in enforcing a zero-COVID policy but began scaling down the tight regulations in the last few months. 

COVID-19 rules that travellers to Hong Kong must continue to follow:

Inbound travellers to Hong Kong have to be fully vaccinated and undergo a pre-departure RAT test within 24 hours before the scheduled time of departure.

Two PCR tests - one at the airport and one on the third day of their visit.

RAT testing for the first five days of their visit, with results to be submitted online.

Mask-wearing remains largely compulsory both indoors and outdoors.

Group gatherings of more than 12 people in public places are not allowed.

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Update April 12, 2024

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Travel Advisory April 12, 2024

Mainland china, hong kong & macau - see summaries.

Updated due to new national security legislation in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

Summary:  Reconsider travel to Mainland China due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including in relation to exit bans, and the risk of wrongful detentions.

Exercise increased caution when traveling to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws .

Reconsider travel to the Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) due to a limited ability to provide emergency consular services . Exercise increased caution when traveling to the Macau SAR due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws .

See specific risks and conditions in each jurisdiction . 

Consulate Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

One month beyond the date of your intended stay

One page required for entry stamp

Not required for stays under 90 days

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau 26 Garden Road Central, Hong Kong Telephone:  +852 2841-2211, +852 2841-2225, +852 2841-2323   Emergency After-Hours Telephone:  +852 2523-9011   Fax:  +852 2845-4845 Email:   [email protected]  

Destination Description

See the U.S. Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Hong Kong for information on U.S.-Hong Kong relations.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Visit the  Hong Kong Immigration Department  website for the most current visa information. 

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction , and  customs regulations  on our website.

To enter the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR), you need:

• a passport that is valid for at least one month beyond the date of your intended stay;
• adequate funds to cover your stay without working locally; and
• evidence of onward/return transportation.

You only need a visa if:

• You plan to stay for more than 90 days – obtain an extension with the Hong Kong SAR Immigration Department, if necessary.
• You plan to work or study in the Hong Kong SAR – visas must be obtained prior to departing the United States.

You must possess a valid passport and PRC visa to enter the People’s Republic of China (PRC) from Hong Kong. Further information on travel to and around the PRC is available on our  China International Travel Information and Macau International Travel Information pages.

West Kowloon Train Station:  The West Kowloon Train Station is the terminus of the Hong Kong section of the  Guangzhou–Shenzhen–Hong Kong Express Rail Link  (XRL). Once passengers pass through the Hong Kong immigration exit checkpoint on their way to mainland China inside the train station or on the train itself in that area, they are in the mainland Port Area. Likewise, passengers arriving from mainland China are in the mainland Port Area until they exit the Hong Kong immigration entry checkpoint. 

Health Requirements: There are no COVID-related entry requirements for U.S. citizens. The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of the PRC, including Hong Kong. 

Safety and Security

Since the imposition of the National Security Law on June 30, 2020, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) has demonstrated an intent to use the law to target a broad range of activities such as acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign entities. The National Security Law also covers offenses committed by non-Hong Kong SAR residents or organizations outside of the Hong Kong SAR, which could subject U.S. citizens who have been publicly critical of the PRC and/or the administration of the Hong Kong SAR to a heightened risk of arrest, detention, expulsion, or prosecution. Mainland PRC security forces, including an Office for Safeguarding National Security, now operate in Hong Kong and are not subject to oversight by the Hong Kong SAR judiciary.

Drug and Alcohol Enforcement: PRC law enforcement authorities have little tolerance for illegal drugs, including marijuana and products containing cannabidiol, also known as CBD . Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs in the PRC, including Hong Kong, are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences, heavy fines, or the death penalty.

Hong Kong also has strict laws against driving under the influence of alcohol that can lead to immediate detention on a criminal charge.

Demonstrations:  Participating in demonstrations or any other activities that authorities interpret as violating Hong Kong law, including the National Security Law, could result in criminal charges. On June 30, 2020, as part of its color-coded system of warning flags, the Hong Kong police unveiled a new purple flag, which warns protesters that shouting slogans or carrying banners with an intent prohibited by the law could now bring criminal charges. Any protests that take place without a permit are considered illegal.

U.S. citizens are strongly cautioned to be aware of their surroundings and avoid demonstrations.

If you decide to travel to Hong Kong: 

• Monitor local media, local transportations sites and apps like  MTR Mobile  or  CitybusNWFB , and the  Hong Kong International Airport website  for updates and traffic advisories. 
• Avoid the areas of the demonstrations. 
• Exercise caution if you are in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests. 
• Avoid taking photographs of protesters or police without permission. 
• Be aware of your surroundings. 
• Keep a low profile. 

Hong Kong has a low crime rate. Even so, you should exercise caution when in congested areas and pay particular attention to personal belongings while in crowded areas and while traveling on public transportation. Violent crime, though rare, does occur.

• Take routine safety precautions. 
• Report any concerns to the local police. 
• Call “999,” the local equivalent to “911” 

Please note that mace, pepper spray, stun guns, bullets, switch blades, knuckle-dusters and other self-protection weapons are banned in Hong Kong. 

Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, but, if you purchase them, you may also be breaking local law. You may also pay fines or must give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the  U.S. Department of Justice website  for more information.

Be alert to criminal schemes, such as internet, phone scams and dating scams, as well as financial scams. See the  U.S. Department of State's  and the  U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)'s  pages for information on scams. 

Victims of Crime:  Report crimes to the local police at “999” and contact U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau at +(825) 2523-9011. U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should first contact U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime. See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

We can: 

• help you find appropriate medical care.
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police.
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent.
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion.
• provide a list of local attorneys.
• provide our information on  victim’s compensation programs in the United States .
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution.
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home.
• replace a stolen or lost passport.

Hong Kong has a crime victim compensation program available to U.S. citizens who are legal residents or tourists in Hong Kong. For more detailed information on the program and its requirements, please see the  Hong Kong Social Welfare Department webpage.  More resources for victims of crime in Hong Kong are available in our  Help for U.S. Victims of Crime in Hong Kong  information sheet. 

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence can/should contact the Hong Kong police and/or U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau for assistance. 

Tourism:  The tourism industry is generally regulated and rules with regard to best practices and safety inspections are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand in support of organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout Hong Kong. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to Hong Kong SAR laws, including certain PRC laws applied to Hong Kong. If you violate Hong Kong SAR laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business. Furthermore, some crimes are prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  U.S. Department of Justice  website. 

Arrest Notification:

• If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.
• Hong Kong must notify a U.S. consular officer within four days; however, this does not always occur in a timely manner.
• The PRC and Hong Kong SAR governments do not recognize dual nationality. The PRC and Hong Kong SAR governments may prevent the U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulates General from providing consular services to dual U.S.-PRC citizens and U.S. citizens of Chinese descent. Please see the page on dual nationality for more information on the limits on consular notification and access to dual nationals.
• A consular officer may be the only authorized visitor during your initial detention period.
• Detention may last many months before a trial.
• U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau is unable to represent you in a legal matter.
• Travelers to the PRC should enroll in the U.S. Department of State’s  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) , and you may wish to have someone contact U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau if you are detained.

Hong Kong law provides for an independent judiciary, but PRC actions have eroded the judiciary’s independence and ability to uphold the rule of law, particularly in cases designated as involving national security. U.S. citizens traveling or residing in the PRC, including the Hong Kong SAR, should be aware of varying levels of scrutiny to which they will be subject from PRC state security and Hong Kong local law enforcement. In Hong Kong, police have the right to detain you for questioning if you are not carrying your passport.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Assisted Reproductive Technology:  Hong Kong strictly forbids surrogacy, and surrogacy contracts will not be considered valid. The use of reproductive technology for medical research and profit is strictly controlled.

Controlled Items in Hong Kong:  Hong Kong customs authorities enforce strict regulations concerning controlled items you might be carrying while transiting Hong Kong (temporary importation or exportation). Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) security routinely and thoroughly screens any luggage loaded onto an aircraft in Hong Kong, whether belonging to a departing or transiting passenger. Discovery of weapons or ammunition of any kind—including mace, pepper spray, stun guns, bullets, air gun pellets, switch blades, knuckle-dusters, and other self-protection weapons—during this screening will be referred to the police for investigation, leading to arrest and detention.

If you bring controlled items into Hong Kong without the necessary Hong Kong documents, you may be prosecuted, and the goods may be seized. The penalty for trafficking in dangerous drugs can be life imprisonment and a heavy fine. Among the other items that you must declare to customs officials are liquors, tobacco, cigarettes and cigars, methyl alcohol, and merchandise imported for commercial purposes. There are no currency restrictions for travelers.

The following is a non-exhaustive list of controlled and/or prohibited items:

• dangerous drugs
• psychotropic substances
• controlled chemicals
• antibiotics
• strategic commodities
• rough diamonds
• endangered species
• telecommunication equipment
• powdered formula

Please visit the website of the  Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department  for specific information regarding Hong Kong customs requirements.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection encourages the use of an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) carnet for the temporary admission of professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods for exhibitions and fair purposes.

For additional information, please visit the  U.S. Council for International Business website  and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection web page on  Traveling with Samples .

Please see our  Customs Information  sheet for general information.

Dual Nationality:  Dual nationality is not recognized under  PRC nationality law . Be mindful of the following special circumstances for dual nationals when traveling in the region.

Enter the Hong Kong SAR on your U.S. passport to ensure U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau can provide consular assistance in case of arrest or other emergency. Regardless of your travel documents, if you are a dual national, or otherwise have ethnic or historical ties to the PRC, it is possible that Hong Kong authorities will assert that you are a PRC citizen and deny your access to U.S. consular representatives if you are detained.

Your child will be considered a PRC citizen if one or both of the parents are PRC nationals regardless of U.S. citizenship.

If traveling onward to mainland China, enter mainland China on your U.S. passport to ensure U.S. consular protection. See our  China International Travel Information  page for more information.

For further information on consular protection and  dual nationality , please refer to our website.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods:  Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also pay fines or must give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the  U.S. Department of Justice website  for more information.

Cruise Ship Passengers:  Please see our Cruise Ship Passengers page for safety information and travel advice.

Earthquakes:  Earthquakes occur throughout the PRC and have affected Hong Kong in the past. Check here for information about  preparing for a crisis or disaster overseas .

Faith-Based Travelers:  See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Reports
• Country Reports on Human Rights Practices
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers:  In Hong Kong, there are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTQI+ events in Hong Kong. See  Section 6 of our Human Rights Practices in the Human Rights Report for Hong Kong  and read our  LGBTQI+ Travel Information page .

Pets:  You must have a permit to bring dogs and cats into Hong Kong. Dogs and cats imported from the United States may be exempted from quarantine when they have valid health and vaccination certificates and when the animal has been in the United States for at least six months immediately preceding travel.

Additional information on importing pets is available on the  Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department website.

Political Activity:  Participating in unauthorized political activities, including participating in unauthorized public protests, or writing social media posts or other online publications critical of the government,   may result in detention, criminal charges, and/or PRC government-imposed restrictions on future travel to the PRC, including Hong Kong.

Social Media:  Social media accounts are widely monitored in the PRC, including Hong Kong. Social media posts—even content posted outside of Hong Kong—that local authorities deem illegal, including under the National Security Law or other Hong Kong laws, may result in criminal charges against both the poster of the material and the administrator of the social media forum.

Students:  See our  U.S. Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Surveillance and Monitoring:  Security personnel carefully watch foreign visitors and may place you under surveillance. Hotel rooms (including meeting rooms), offices, cars, taxis, telephones, Internet usage, and fax machines may be monitored onsite or remotely, and personal possessions in hotel rooms, including computers, may be searched without your consent or knowledge.

Transferring Money to/From Hong Kong:  The U.S. Department of State may be able to help transfer funds to a destitute U.S citizen overseas through our office in Washington, D.C., to U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau. More information on this option is available on our Sending Money to Destitute U.S. Citizens Overseas page .

Travelers with Disabilities:  Sidewalks often do not have curb cuts and many streets can be crossed only via pedestrian bridges or underpasses accessible by staircase. Assistive technologies for blind people and those with other vision disabilities are unreliable, and access to elevators in public buildings can be restricted. In major cities, public restrooms in places visited by tourists usually have a least one accessible toilet.

Hong Kong law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, and mental disabilities in employment, education, access to health care, or the provision of other state services, and the government generally enforces these provisions. The law mandates access to buildings, information, and communications for persons with disabilities. The  Hong Kong Social Welfare Department  is primarily responsible for coordinating and funding public assistance programs to persons with disabilities. The  Hong Kong Tourism Board  publishes “ Accessible Hong Kong , ” a guide for visitors with disabilities and the  Hong Kong Transport Department  publishes  A Guide to Public Transport for People with Disabilities . In addition, the Hong Kong government created  Cyberable  to provide one-stop information for persons with various disabilities.

Weather:  The southeast coast of the PRC is subject to strong typhoons and tropical storms, usually from July through September. The  Hong Kong Observatory  has an excellent notification and monitoring system and issues typhoon warnings an average of six times a year and heavy rainstorm and hot weather alerts more frequently. Please be advised that if Hong Kong announces a Typhoon Signal 8 or above or Black Rainstorm Warning, U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau will be closed for services. You may find additional information on Check here for information about  preparing for a crisis or disaster overseas  on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.

For current information, please consult the  Joint Typhoon Warning Center  and the  National Weather Service's Central Pacific Hurricane Center .

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

For emergency services in Hong Kong, dial 999.

Ambulance services are widely available.

Quality of Care:  Good medical facilities are available, and there are many Western-trained physicians. Hong Kong emergency service response times for police, fire, and ambulances are good.

We do not pay medical bills.  Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance. 

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage  for more information on insurance coverage overseas. Visit the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  website for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation.

Payment and Insurance:  Travelers will be asked to post a deposit prior to admission to hospitals to cover the expected cost of treatment. Hospitals and clinics generally accept credit cards.

U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau maintains a list of local  English-speaking doctors and hospitals . We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Medication : Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription. Prescription drugs are widely available, although names may vary. You need a prescription from a doctor in Hong Kong to purchase medications locally. Bring prescription medications to cover your stay in Hong Kong or plan to see a physician in Hong Kong to obtain a new prescription. If traveling with prescription medication, check with the  government of Hong Kong  to ensure the medication is legal in Hong Kong. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. 

Air Quality : Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates. The air quality in Hong Kong varies considerably and fluctuates with the seasons. It is typically at its worst in the summer.

People at the greatest risk from particle pollution exposure include: 

• Infants, children, and teens;
• People over 65 years of age;
• People with lung disease such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema;
• People with heart disease or diabetes; and 
• People who work or are active outdoors.

Vaccinations:  Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the CDC.

COVID-19 Testing: COVID-19 PCR tests are available at private laboratories and clinics in Hong Kong. The price for these PCR tests generally ranges from 50 to 100 US Dollars. The Hong Kong government maintains a list of recognized laboratories . Rapid COVID-19 tests are readily available at pharmacies and retail establishments throughout Hong Kong.   

COVID-19 Vaccines:  The COVID-19 vaccine is available for U.S. citizen residents of Hong Kong. U.S. citizens who are not Hong Kong residents are not eligible to receive Hong Kong government-provided vaccines.   Visit the FDA's website to  learn more about FDA-approved vaccines  in the United States.   

For further health information :

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Road conditions differ significantly from those in the United States. Each year there are approximately 14,000 traffic accidents.

• Traffic moves on the left.
• Speed limits vary depending on location.
• Use of seatbelts is mandatory.
• You can drive using your U.S. driver’s license for up to a year. If you hold a valid U.S. driver’s license and have resided in the United States at least six months, you can apply for a Hong Kong driver’s license. Visit the  Hong Kong Transport Department online  for further details. 

Traffic Laws:  Many traffic violations are similar to those in the United States, including penalties for reckless driving, driving under the influence, and using a hand-held device while operating a vehicle. Hong Kong law requires that all registered vehicles carry valid third-party liability insurance. 

Public Transportation:  Approximately 90 percent of the population in Hong Kong depends on public transport. Taxis, buses, and the mass transit railway (MTR) are readily available, inexpensive, and generally safe. The MTR, an underground railway network, is the most popular mode of public transport, carrying an average of 3.5 million passengers a day. Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed Hong Kong’s Civil Aviation Department (CAD) as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Hong Kong's air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s Safety Assessment Page .

Maritime Travel:  Mariners planning travel to Hong Kong should check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Maritime Security Communications with Industry (MSCI) web portal. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard Homeport website , and the U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) Navigational Warnings website .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Hong Kong . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report. 

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Can I travel to Hong Kong? Entry requirements explained

Hong kong has dropped its covid-related travel restrictions and for brits there’s no need for a visa in most cases.

A popular stopover destination from Europe to southeast Asia and Australasia, cosmopolitan Hong Kong is perfect for breaking up a long journey, or a first foray into Asia. For British travellers, there’s no need for a visa. And given that the special administrative region of China has dropped its Covid-related travel restrictions too, there’s never been a better time to go. Here’s what you need to know about the current entry requirements.

Main photo: Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour (Getty Images)

What are Hong Kong’s entry requirements?

Hong Kong has now dropped all of its Covid-related entry restrictions. You no longer have to take any pre-travel Covid tests, show proof of vaccination or fill in any forms. The requirement to wear masks in public spaces, including on public transport, has also been dropped. However, you will still be required to pass temperature checks on arrival, and while the Hong Kong government still advises inbound travellers to take daily rapid antigen tests for the first five days in the territory, you do not need to self isolate if you test positive.

If you’re entering Hong Kong from a destination other than the UK, do double-check as the restrictions may be different.

UK passport holders do not need a visa to enter Hong Kong for periods of up to six months. However, if you’re planning to stay for longer or are travelling for work or study, you will need to get a visa. Your passport must also be valid for at least one month after the date of your departure from Hong Kong.

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If you’re planning to travel to mainland China, the rules are different. You should check the latest requirements here .

Can I travel to Hong Kong unvaccinated?

Yes, Hong Kong has dropped all Covid-related travel restrictions.

Do I have to wear a mask?

Hong Kong dropped its mask mandate on March 1, 2023. Residents and visitors no longer need to wear a mask indoors, outdoors, or on public transport. You will still need to wear a mask if you visit any medical facilities.

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Everything to know before travelling to Hong Kong right now

Hong Kong —a favourite destination among travellers worldwide — is one of the slower and more cautious cities to welcome back travellers. However, the moment the world has been waiting for has finally arrived: travellers can once again visit Hong Kong, without the requirement to quarantine in a hotel. Yes, you read that right! After a long hiatus of two years, Hong Kong has finally eliminated its mandatory three-day hotel quarantine. In addition, Hong Kong is also easing testing rules, thereby ending one of the world’s last strict pandemic-era travel quarantine measures. The lifting of Hong Kong travel restrictions will surely bring many visitors to the city. However, visitors travelling to Hong Kong must still abide by the following rules.

Hong Kong is implementing a ‘0+3’ period instead of a hotel quarantine

Hong Kong has implemented a ‘0+3’ period in which visitors would be expected to self-monitor for symptoms over three days. And while you will be allowed to step out of your hotels and homes during this time, you will be restricted from entering certain public places like shopping malls, bars and restaurants .

The ‘0+3’ medical surveillance period restricts movement within the city

After landing in Hong Kong, you will need to download the Leave Home Safe app (available on Google Play  and  Apple Store ). After downloading, you will receive an ‘Amber Code’ reflecting on your application. The Amber Code restricts entry to public places, including restaurants, lounges, bars and clubs, gyms, swimming pools, salons and spas. However, you can take public transport to work or pick up groceries from supermarkets.

Once your ‘0+3’ period ends at 9 am on Day 3 since arrival, your code will turn blue, after which you can move around without any restrictions.

(Image credits: pixabay)

Non-vaccinated overseas passengers cannot travel to Hong Kong

You need to be fully vaccinated to enter Hong Kong right now. If you cannot get your Covid-19 vaccination for medical reasons, you must carry valid proof. That said, Hong Kong residents wishing to return to the city do not need vaccination proof. The government also allows entry of travellers who have recovered from COVID-19 14 to 90 days before boarding the flight.

Testing and other rules before boarding a flight

In anticipation of the increased interest and surge in demand, airlines are also adding more flights to Hong Kong. For instance, Cathay Pacific is adding more than 200 flights in October. So, are you boarding a flight to Hong Kong? According to the updated rules, you will no longer require to take a PCR test before boarding. Instead, you must take a rapid antigen test 24 hours before boarding.

Apart from the mandatory vaccine and testing Hong Kong travel requirements, you must also complete the electronic health declaration  form before boarding a flight to Hong Kong. Once you have registered, you will receive a QR code that you would need upon arrival at the airport. If you face any issues while filing the form online, you can seek assistance from the airport staff in Hong Kong.

Rules upon arrival: PCR test and more

Travelling to Hong Kong? Be ready to undergo a PCR test at the airport upon arrival. However, you can pick your baggage and leave for your hotel or residence without waiting for the test result. Visitors must also undergo PCR tests on day two, day four, and day six, respectively. In addition, you would also need to take a rapid antigen test each day for seven days.

During the ‘0+3’ period, you can take the RT-PCR test at  Community Testing Centre (CTC) , mobile specimen collection stations, or any medical testing institutions at your own expense.

Tested positive upon arrival? Here’s what you need to know

If you test positive, unfortunately, you will receive a ‘Red Code’ and would need to isolate yourself at your home or your hotel. The government will send you to the appropriate facilities should you require treatment. In addition, you will get an electronic tag wristband that will track your movements if you defy the rules and attempt to leave your hotel .

Although Hong Kong has eased the travel restrictions, you will still have to abide by pandemic rules, including social distancing and mandatory mask-wearing.

Have more queries about travelling to Hong Kong? Visit this  link  for all the updated travel regulations.

(Hero image credits: pixabay)

Tania Tarafdar

Digital Editor (Growth)

Tania and yoga are in an eternal relationship. You can see her breaking into yoga asanas in the snow-capped Alps and the Mediterranean Sea coastline. Her friends swear by her food and travel recommendations.

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Inbound travel rules maintained: CE

(To watch the full media session with sign language interpretation, click here .)

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today said it is very unlikely that the Government will relax its inbound travel restrictions before the end of June.

Ahead of today’s Executive Council meeting in the morning, Mrs Lam pointed out that while the number of local COVID-19 cases is now very low, imported cases account for a significant share of the total caseload.

“On top of that, we are seeing different variants under (the Omicron sublineage) BA.2, so we have to be extremely careful in implementing the restrictions on border controls.

“We will still have the hotel quarantine, we will still require vaccination before a passenger can board a plane to Hong Kong, and we will still impose the test-and-hold arrangement, whether at the airport or at a hotel, for a polymerase chain reaction nucleic acid test in order to keep Hong Kong safe.”

Noting that the Government will implement the third stage of the vaccine pass arrangement on May 31, the Chief Executive called on citizens to get the third dose of a COVID-19 vaccine to protect themselves and facilitate their access to specified premises by then.

Meanwhile, as a gatekeeping measure, the daily rapid antigen test requirement for students and school staff will be maintained until late June, she added.

Places the U.S. Government Warns Not to Travel Right Now

You may want to reconsider traveling to these countries right now.

Do Not Travel to These Countries

Getty Images

Crime, civil unrest and terrorism are common risk factors for countries that end up on the State Department's "Do Not Travel" advisory list.

In 2024, tourism across the globe is “well on track” to return to pre-pandemic levels, according to projections by UN Tourism.

Global conflicts and natural disasters , ranging from a series of coups across Africa to catastrophic earthquakes in the Middle East affected international travel patterns throughout 2023. Still, international tourist arrivals reached 87% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, according to estimates by UN Tourism .

In January 2024 alone, about 4.6 million U.S. citizens left the country for international destinations, 17% higher than the same month in 2019, according to the International Trade Administration . But some destinations warrant more caution than others.

On Oct. 19, 2023, following the outbreak of war between Israel and Gaza and flaring tensions in the region, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide caution advisory due to “increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.” Prior to this update, the most recent worldwide caution advisory was issued in 2022 after a U.S. strike killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden’s successor as leader of Al Qaeda, causing “a higher potential for anti-American violence.” The worldwide caution advisory remains in effect.

The U.S. State Department also issues individual travel advisory levels for more than 200 countries globally, continually updating them based on a variety of risk indicators such as health, terrorism and civil unrest. Travel advisory levels range from Level 1, which means exercise normal precautions, to Level 4, which means do not travel there.

About 10% of countries – 19 total – have a Level 4: “Do Not Travel” advisory as of Mar. 4. In Level 4 countries, the U.S. government may have “very limited ability” to step in should travelers’ safety or security be at risk, according to the State Department. Crime, civil unrest, kidnapping and terrorism are common risk factors associated with Level 4 countries.

So far in 2024, the State Department made changes to the existing Level 4 advisories for Myanmar, Iran and Gaza, and moved Niger and Lebanon off of the Level 4 list.

Places With a Level 4 Travel Advisory

These are the primary areas the U.S. government says not to travel to right now, in alphabetical order:

Jump to Place: Afghanistan Belarus Burkina Faso Central African Republic Myanmar (formerly Burma) Gaza Haiti Iran Iraq Libya Mali Mexico North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Russia Somalia South Sudan Sudan Syria Ukraine Venezuela Yemen

Afghanistan: The Central Asian country is wrestling with “terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping and crime,” according to the State Department. U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for wrongful detention and kidnapping. In 2022, the government reinstituted public floggings and executions, and women’s rights are disappearing under Taliban control. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul halted operations in August 2021. Since the Taliban took control , many forms of international aid have been halted . Meanwhile, in 2023, some of the year’s deadliest earthquakes killed more than 2,400 in Afghanistan while the country continues to face a years-long extreme drought.

Belarus: Belarus, which shares a western border with Russia and a southern border with Ukraine, has been flagged for “Belarusian authorities’ continued facilitation of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces in Belarus, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential of civil unrest, the risk of detention, and the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Belarus.” The U.S. Embassy in Minsk halted operations in February 2022.

Burkina Faso: Terrorism, crime and kidnapping are plaguing this West African nation. Terrorist attacks may target hotels, restaurants and schools with little to no warning, and the East and Sahel regions of the country are under a state of emergency. In late November 2023, hundreds died in clashes between state security forces and rebels near the country’s border with Mali. In June, more than 2 million people in Burkina Faso were displaced due to “violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.”

Central African Republic: While there have not been specific incidents of U.S. citizens targeted with violence or crime, violent crime and sudden closure of roads and borders is common. The advisory states that “Embassy Bangui’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens, crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping” is a factor in its assessment. Recent data from UNICEF suggests the country has the worst drinking water accessibility of all countries in 2022.

Myanmar (Formerly Burma): Armed conflict and civil unrest are the primary reasons to not travel to this Southeast Asian country, which experienced a military coup in early 2021. Limited health care resources, wrongful detentions and “areas with land mines and unexploded ordnance” are also listed as risk factors. After Ukraine and Israel, Myanmar had the highest conflict-related death toll in 2023.

Gaza : Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization as designated by the State Department, controls much of the Gaza Strip, which shares borders with both Israel and Egypt. On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas fighters broke across the border into Israel, killing hundreds of civilians and soldiers in a brazen attack that stunned Israelis. On Oct. 10, Israel hit the Gaza Strip with “the fiercest air strikes in its 75-year conflict” according to Reuters . The conflict has since escalated into war between Israel and Hamas, with regular Israeli airstrikes leading to extensive civilian casualties in Gaza. As of mid-December, nearly 85% of Gaza’s population were displaced from their homes, according to UN estimates . The region continues to face shortages of food , water, electricity and medical supplies , with conditions deemed “far beyond a humanitarian crisis.” The State Department warns of terrorism and armed conflict within Gaza’s borders.

Haiti: In July 2023, the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince in response to the increased risk of kidnapping and violent crime in the country , as well as armed conflict between gangs and police. The travel advisory states that cases of kidnapping “often involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings.” The travel advisory also states that “U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible” given “the current security situation and infrastructure challenges.” A series of gang attacks in late September 2023 caused thousands to flee their homes, and many aid groups have been forced to cut or suspend operations amid escalating violence in recent months.

Iran: Terrorism, kidnapping and civil unrest are risk factors for all travelers to Iran, while U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for “arbitrary arrest.” U.S.-Iranian nationals such as students, journalists and business travelers have been arrested on charges of espionage and threatening national security. Executions in Iran rose sharply between 2021 and 2022, bringing the country’s total to nearly 580 people over the year, according to a report by Amnesty International released in May 2023.

Iraq: The State Department cites “terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict [and] civil unrest” as cause for the country’s Level 4 distinction. Iraq’s northern borders, and its border with Syria, are especially dangerous. Since the escalation of conflict in neighboring Israel in October, there has been an increase in attacks against Iraqi military bases, which host U.S. troops and other international forces. In October 2023, non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members were ordered to leave the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Libya: Following the end of its dictatorship over a decade ago, Libya has been wrought with internal conflict between armed groups in the East and West. Armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, kidnapping and terrorism are all risk factors. U.S. citizens have been targets of kidnapping for ransom, with terrorists targeting hotels and airports frequented by Westerners. The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli halted operations in 2014. In mid-September 2023, floods, which some say were intensified by climate change , killed thousands in eastern Libya. Clashes between armed factions escalated across the country in the latter half of 2023, including in the capital city of Tripoli and in Benghazi.

Mali: After experiencing military coups in 2020 and 2021, crime, terrorism and kidnapping are all prevalent threats in this West African landlocked nation. In July 2022, non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families were ordered to leave the country due to higher risk of terrorist activity. A U.N. report in August 2023 said that military groups in the country, including both Mali security forces and possibly Russian Wagner mercenaries, were spreading terror through the use of violence against women and human rights abuses. Democratic elections were supposed to occur in February 2024, but Mali’s military junta postponed the plans indefinitely. In December, the U.N. officially ended a decade-long peacekeeping presence in the country, which had been among the agency’s deadliest missions, with hundreds of the mission personnel killed since 2013.

Mexico: Each state in Mexico is assessed separately for travel advisory levels. Six of the 32 states in Mexico are designated as Level 4: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. Crime and kidnapping are listed as the primary risk factors throughout the country. Nearly 112,000 people were missing across the country as of October, a number the U.N. has called “alarming.”

North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea): U.S. passports are not valid for travel “to, in, or through” this country, home to one of the world's longest-running dynastic dictatorships. The travel advisory states that the Level 4 distinction is due to “the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals.” In July 2023, a U.S. soldier fled across the border into North Korea, where he is believed to be in North Korean custody, the first American detained in the North in nearly five years. He was returned to U.S. custody in September 2023.

Russia: The travel advisory for Russia cites its invasion of Ukraine , harassment of U.S. citizens by Russian government officials and arbitrary law enforcement as a few of the reasons for the Level 4 designation. Chechnya and Mount Elbrus are specifically listed as Level 4 regions. Terrorism, civil unrest, health, kidnapping and wrongful detention are all noted as risks.

Russia Invades Ukraine: A Timeline

Somalia: A severe drought resulting from five failed rainy seasons in a row killed 43,000 people in 2022, and caused a famine amid conflict with Islamist insurgents . Violent crime is common throughout Somalia , pirates frequent its coast off the Horn of Africa, and medical facilities, where they exist, have limited capacity. Crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health and kidnapping are all risk factors. In January 2024, some passengers aboard a U.N.-contracted helicopter were taken hostage by al-Shabaab militants after the vehicle crashed in central Somalia.

South Sudan: Crime, kidnapping and armed conflict are the primary risk factors for South Sudan, which separated from Sudan in 2011, making it the world’s newest country . Weapons are readily available, and travelers have been victims of sexual assault and armed robbery.

Sudan: The U.S. evacuated its embassy in Khartoum in April 2023, and the country closed its airspace due to the ongoing conflict in the country, only permitting humanitarian aid and evacuation efforts. Fighting has escalated in the region between two warring generals seeking to gain control after a military coup in 2021 ousted the country’s prime minister. Civil unrest is the primary risk factor for Africa’s third largest country by area. Crime, terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict are also noted. The International Criminal Court began investigating alleged war crimes and violence against African ethnic groups in the country in 2023. Millions have fled their homes due to conflict, and the U.N. has said its efforts to provide aid have been hindered by a lack of support, safety and resources. As recently as December 2023, the United Nations warned of catastrophic famine , with millions of children at-risk for malnutrition .

Syria: The advisory states that “No part of Syria is safe from violence,” with terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed conflict and risk of unjust detention all potential risk factors. U.S. citizens are often a target for kidnappings and detention. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus halted operations in 2012. Fighting in neighboring Israel has escalated since October, and the conflict has spilled over into Syria, where the U.S. has carried out air strikes following drone and rocket attacks against American troops in Syria and Iraq, triggered by the Israel-Hamas war.

Ukraine: Russian setbacks in their invasion of Ukraine buoyed hopes in Ukraine in 2023. However, Ukraine is a Level 4 country due to Russia’s invasion, with crime and civil unrest also noted as risk factors. The country’s forces shot down two Russian fighter jets on Christmas Eve 2023, in a move Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said “sets the right mood for the entire year ahead.”

Venezuela: Human rights abuses and lack of health care plague this South American nation, which has been in a political crisis since 2014. In 2019, diplomatic personnel were withdrawn from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. Threats in the country include crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, wrongful detention and poor health infrastructure.

Yemen: Six of the nine risk factors defined by the State Department – terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict and landmines – are all present in Yemen. Despite private companies offering tourist visits to the Yemeni island of Socotra, the U.S. government argues those arranging such visits “are putting tourists in danger.” Civil war and cholera are also both present throughout the country. The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa halted operations in 2015. The country has experienced a relative lull in the civil war fighting, but as peace negotiations have gotten traction, flare ups in the fighting have jeopardized progress. Most recently, the U.S. and U.K. have carried out a series of airstrikes in the country, targeting Iran-backed Houthi sites.

Other Countries to Watch

Since Jan. 1, the State Department has updated travel advisories for 17 different countries as well as for the West Bank and Gaza, adding information about specific regions or risk factors, or simply renewing an existing advisory. Travel advisory levels can change based on several factors in a nation, such as increased civil unrest, policies that affect human rights or higher risks of unlawful detention.

The State Department has given about 25 countries an assessment of Level 3, meaning it recommends people “reconsider travel” to those destinations.

On Oct. 14, one week after the deadly Hamas attack on Israel, Israel and the West Bank were both moved from Level 2 to Level 3, while Gaza remains at Level 4. The region’s travel advisory was updated in November to reflect travel restrictions for certain government employees who have not already left the area, and it was updated again on Jan. 3.

Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in early October, the U.S. State Department raised Lebanon ’s travel advisory level from a Level 3 to a Level 4 level due to “the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges” between Israel and Hezbollah or other militant groups. In December, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut returned to normal staffing and presence, and on Jan. 29, the country was moved back to Level 3. Crime, terrorism, armed conflict, civil unrest, kidnapping and unexploded landmines are listed as the country’s primary risk factors. However, the country’s borders with Syria and with Israel, as well as refugee settlements within Lebanon, are specifically noted as Level 4 regions.

China became a Level 3 country in late 2020, with an update in December 2022 citing “the surge in COVID-19 cases, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, and COVID-19-related restrictions” as the reason for the advisory. In June 2023, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) was moved from the Level 3 to the Level 2 list, but travelers are still advised to be cautious in the area due to “arbitrary enforcement of local laws.” Meanwhile, Macau remains at Level 3.

Following an attempted coup in August 2023, Niger was elevated to Level 4 in August and the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Niamey. In early January 2024, the overall risk level for the country was lowered back to Level 3. Despite the new classification, the State Department still asks non-emergency government personnel and eligible family members to depart the country.

In mid-December 2023 there was an explosion at Guinea’s main fuel depot which has since affected access to health care and basic goods and services. The country was subsequently designated a Level 3 nation after having previously been Level 2. Concerns about civil unrest, health, crime and fuel shortages impacting local infrastructure were listed as the primary risk factors contributing to the change.

Several Level 3 countries are among the worst countries for human trafficking, as designated by the State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report . Level 3 countries on this list include Papua New Guinea, Guinea Bissau, China and Chad. There are also nine Level 4 countries designated as among the worst for human trafficking: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Syria, South Sudan and Venezuela.

Over 70 countries are currently at Level 2, meaning the State Department recommends travelers “exercise increased caution” when traveling to those destinations.

Botswana became the newest Level 2 country on Feb. 26 after having previously been Level 1, with crime noted as the primary risk factor.

France, which saw nationwide protests throughout 2023, has civil unrest and terrorism noted as risk factors for its Level 2 status, and Sweden’s Level 2 status is associated with risks of terrorism.

The Level 2 travel advisory for the Bahamas was updated in January to reflect water safety concerns. The advisory warns that “activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated” and notes that government personnel are “not permitted to use independently operated jet-ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands.” It also warns visitors to be mindful of sharks, weather and water conditions. The advisory also says that crime is a primary risk factor with gang-on-gang violence contributing to high homicide rates in some areas. Visitors are asked to “be vigilant” and to not physically resist robbery attempts.

Bangladesh 's Level 2 travel advisory was updated in October 2023 to add a note about the country’s general election , which took place Jan. 7, 2024. The advisory states “demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.” The U.S. has since claimed the country’s election was not free nor fair.

In November 2023, several Level 2 travel advisories were updated with new cautionary information. The advisory for Ghana was updated to reflect threats against LGBTQI+ travelers specifically, noting “anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric and violence have increased in recent years.” Meanwhile, the advisory for South Africa was updated in February to note that routes recommended by GPS may be unsafe with higher risk for crime.

Turkmenistan was moved off of the Level 2 list to become the newest addition to the Level 1 list on Jan. 22, meaning normal precautions are recommended but there are no risk factors causing travelers to practice increased caution.

The State Department asks travelers to pay attention to travel advisory levels and alerts , review country information pages for their destinations and read related country security reports before going abroad.

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Warnings and insurance

This travel advice covers the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR). For mainland China, see travel advice for China and for Macao SAR, see Macao travel advice .

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice . 

Dual Chinese-British nationality

Hong Kong does not recognise dual nationality. If you have both British and Chinese nationality, you may be treated as a Chinese citizen by local authorities, even if you enter Hong Kong on your British passport. If this is the case, the British Consulate-General may not be able to offer you consular help.    

If you have formally renounced Chinese citizenship, carry evidence that you have done so.

See guidance on nationality in China . 

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide and any specific travel advice that applies to you: 

• disabled people  
• LGBT+ people  

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated. 

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

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Is Hong Kong Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

China : Safety by City

Hong Kong is the dynamic metropolis, where the modern and traditional world is combined.

That proves the description that this is the city where “East meets West”.

To satisfy everyone’s taste, it offers something for someone.

Starting from shopping, cuisine, and nightlife to the festivals, it is a city of vibrant entertainment.

The Victoria Peak and Harbour are often referred to as shopping paradise.

There is something for every budget, whether it is in the shops that offer brand items, or at bazaars and markets.

The most visited tourist attractions are St John’s Cathedral, Victorian-gothic St Andrew’s Church, the Hong Kong Museum of History and the Temple of Wong-Tar-Shian.

• Warnings & Dangers in Hong Kong

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Hong Kong is quite safe with some petty crimes like thefts, vandalism, and burglaries. Serious crime acts are rare in Hong Kong, especially against tourists. Because there is no place in the world with 100 safety rates, it is always recommended to be watchful to avoid becoming a victim.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

Unlicensed taxis are very common in Hong Kong and should not be taken. They often do not use their meter. What tourists should do, to avoid being tricked, is to ask the driver to take the bags out of the trunk before they pay and always take a licensed taxi from their hotel or any other accommodation.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH

The fact that it is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, as well as a great and often visited tourist destination makes Hong Kong heaven for pickpockets. So, in crowded places and busy streets you should make sure that your belongings are close to you and pay attention to your surroundings.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

The only natural disasters risks in Hong Kong are those of typhoons during the summer season since storms and winds cause flooding, landslides, and other major damages.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Hong Kong has a low rate in terms of muggings, but some cases of this crime might happen if tourists follow the criminal without knowing what he/she is saying. Avoid talking to strangers, especially if they do not speak your language.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

In the recent history of terrorism in Hong Kong, there are no records of terrorist attacks, but they still cannot be predicted. The global risk of terrorist attacks in public areas exists worldwide, so tourists should be vigilant.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

All the tourists who come to Hong Kong represent a possible victim of scammers and it is a growing problem. The most common trick is in shops that shop assistants go to pick a new set in the back of the shop after you decide to purchase something and the one they bring is usually an older model or even a fake one. Many shops sell products without a price tag which allows them to decide the price at the spot and often overcharge customers.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

The risk for women travelers in Hong Kong is at the lowest level and it is hard to believe that there is no area in the whole city that women should not visit both during the day and night. Because pickpocket risk is at a high level, women should be cautious as in any other city.

• So... How Safe Is Hong Kong Really?

Hong Kong is a city that quickly developed into important business and cultural center.

Lan Kwai Fong is an entertainment district with bars, restaurants and lives music.

Victoria Peak is the mountaintop full of expensive mansions which offer the best view of the city.

All the attractions are great for tourists, but they are also attractive for some petty crimes and lawbreakers tend to take advantage of every possible situation.

The most violent crimes are usually committed by triads and they include drug trafficking and racketeering.

Tourists should pay attention while driving and use amazing public transport systems because there are over 500,000 private vehicles in Hong Kong and inexperienced driving can be risky.

• How Does Hong Kong Compare?
• Useful Information

The necessity for a visa depends on the country you are coming from. The Philippines nationals who come to Hong Kong for tourism or business and stay less than 14 days do not need visas. There are 170 countries whose citizens can visit Hong Kong without a visa if they stay from 7 to 180 days, but that also depends on their nationality.

The official currency in Hong Kong is the Hong Kong dollar (HKD). ATMs can be found in big cities. Your credit cards might not be accepted everywhere since the Chinese still pay for most things in cash. Even though many people believe that it is a very luxurious city, Hong Kong is not the most expensive in the world.

A monsoon subtropical climate of Hong Kong makes the weather mild throughout most of the year. During the period from October to early December, the weather is sunny and pleasant. July is the hottest month, while the coldest is January. You can easily distinguish seasons in Hong Kong – spring is warm, summers are usually sunny and rainy, autumn is the best season to visit Hong Kong due to the pleasant weather conditions, and winters are cold.

Hong Kong International Airport has two parallel runways, which are 3,800 meters long and 60 meters wide. It is Hong Kong’s major airport, located on the island of Chek Lap Kok. The airport’s nickname is Chek Lap Kok Airport and it is used for the transportation of both cargo and passengers.

Travel Insurance

Visitors of Hong Kong do not necessarily have to have any form of insurance, but travel insurance is always considered prudent. Once you know that you have protection in case of accidental injury, lost or stolen baggage or trip cancellation, it makes you feel peaceful when you travel.

Hong Kong Weather Averages (Temperatures)

• Average High/Low Temperature

China - Safety by City

Explore hong kong.

• Your Pocket Plan for 2 Days in Hong Kong
• Where to Next?

17 Reviews on Hong Kong

Hong Kong Dollar is used in Hong Kong, instead of Renmenbi.

Hong Kong people's comments

As a Hong Kong people, I disagree.

For Transport & Taxi risk should be low, not too much unlicensed taxi.

For Pickpockets risk should be medium, not high risk. I don’t face too much of being pickpockets,

For Mugging Risk should be medium, Mugging Risk is used to be low before July 2019. But after the HK protest 2019, there are significant rise of Mugging Risk

For Terrorism risk should be medium to high, since june 2019, violent protesters begin, and they simply burn the police station and mtr station, there are case for burn human who stand in opposite side in Nov 2019. In another side, the pro-government protester also attack normal citizen.

As a Hong Kongers, the TERRORISM RISK is not that high but since June 2019, the HK police force actually acts as the terrorist.

They will arrest and shot to innocent people.

But for tourists not from China are mostly to be safe to travel to Hong Kong.

Indonesian Journalist was shot in face by Hong Kong police one eye left blind

If you want to experience tear gas, rubber bullets, sponge grenades, welcome to Hong Kong.

Moreover, if you are lucky enough, you may have a chance to become a blue man because of the water cannon.

Political terrorism is rampant

As a Hong Kong citizen, the risk of political terrorism is extremely high. You are likely to be physically assaulted if you speak out against the “pro-democracy” protesters. In one case an old man was set on fire for arguing with them. Very xenophobic. Discriminates against mainlanders. Police sometimes uses excessive force while clearing out protests. Don’t come here unless you are looking for burning trashcans, teargas or riots.

what the ...

As a Parisian who lived in Hong Kong this is the safest city on earth. Both in statistics and in experience. How the hell you place HK lower than Paris. It will virtually happend nothing at all to you in HK even if you seek for problems you won’t find them. 0 credibility you never went there and not even took the time to look at pick pocket statistic. Bunch of non sense here written by amateurs and notes randomly given

rubbish review

These guys writing the review have not set foot in HK in their life Using Rmb in HK,since when? Unlicensed taxis?where?

Wrong Information

So much wrong information. 1) $HKD is used in Hong Kong, not RMB. 2) Pickpockets risks are low, I’ve never been a victim of pickpocket for a single time living here for 20 years. 3) Scam risks are present, but not as high as it stated. If you want to buy something luxury, just go to the mall and avoid shops in the street. 4) Political risks in Hong Kong is high though. Don’t speak something against China now.

It would be hard to find a safer large city in the world

There is a difference, between how tourists are treated and how locals are treated, so the experience of those two will obviously be different.

90% bad, 10% good, speaking as HKer myself

Y’ know, as a Hong Konger myself, HK isn’t exactly the safest place. I’m talkin’ political… problems here.

HK is now under a National Security Law, which can be used against anyone who goes against it, violate that dumb, right-stripping law, and you’re just about as alive as a rock.

Everywhere in HK was a battlefield, protestors and police clashed in violent battles which could be classified as a war to some, it’s a war to me, I stand with the pro-democracy protestors, most of us are good people who honestly just want freedom, but some others are uh, not right in the head, I’d like to say. I mean come on, one of us set fire to an old man in an argument, AN OLD MAN!!!! WHAT THE???????!!!!!

Police are bad. Most of the battles I talked about above were started by police throwing tear gas at people, shooting people with rubber bullets, assaulting people who weren’t even involved in the matter and they shot a student. A STUDENT!!!!!!!

But there are good things here:

Food is good, you can’t find better street food anywhere else, if you’re a sucker for eastern and western foods and can’t choose, come to HK, we got you covered

It’s a shopping paradise, knock yourself out at the malls.

The skyline. It’s beautiful!

It was once great and I hope it will be again

Hong Kong is not as safe as it once was mainly because of the protests and police activity. Both are dangers for people visiting, even though tourists usually don’t interact as much with these things. I would not come here at this time. This city is beautiful but I can’t just always look over my shoulder not knowing what’s next.

This place is actually great

Lived here ALL my life, those saying bout not talking bad for china = false, you actually can ( as long as they can’t hear ya) It is pretty crowded tho soooo… Also, don’t worry about pickpockets.

I am now 13, and there was only 1 pickpocket incident EVER in those years. Also, taxis can’t scam ya. They have a literal taximeter RIGHT IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE so yea

Very safe city

Hong Kong is easily the safest major city in the world. Violent crimes are extremely rare, and are usually confined to gangs.

Pickpockets are uncommon. I have never experienced one, having lived in HK for 5 years. There are very few unlicensed taxis, if any. Scamming is a problem, but it can easily be avoided by sticking with recognised shops in malls.

I REALLY LOVE HONG KONG 我愛香港及其美食和人民 😍Most people speak perfect English and are very polite and friendly, The food is great the weather is good and the amount of outdoor activities available is awesome. beautiful beaches hiking trails etc. Hong Kongers are very Kind people mostly. 我愛香港及其美食和人民

HK is hands down one of the safest cities on earth. As mentioned in a previous comment, in HK you don’t stay away from troubles. Troubles stay away from you! If you want to avoid troubles at all cost, I’d say actually tourists and non-locals are mostly likely to be the ones who may bring you troubles. However, the possibility of getting into trouble is still extremely rare. Quite possibly the most serious “crime” you would ever encounter after spending your entire life in HK is getting into a verbal argument (mostly likely with taxi drivers, drunkard, or mainland Chinese). Another “crime” you may encounter (which in fact is way more common) are the uncivilized acts of some tourists, mostly from mainland China. Where there are cockroaches, there are scammers (mostly from mainland China and south east Asia). In HK, you can simply ignore them and they will go away. Also, always check the map before getting on a taxi, taxi drivers for some reason really love to spend more time with their passengers so they will often choose the longer route, the congested streets and the wrong turn (and yes, the meter will go up so you will have to pay more :D! ) Sadly, political risk is getting more serious. So if you do something that is politically sensitive, you may be in big trouble. Since 2019, the police in Hong Kong became very political and therefore they will not hesitate to confront you or violate your rights if you are too outspoken about the issues of the Chinese (or Xi’s) regime. But as a tourist, they will usually turn a blind eye so you will be fine. Most importantly, in HK, there is a well-known saying “好仔唔當差” (literal meaning: “decent men would never be a cop”) So police in HK are mostly troublemakers that dropped out of school at an early age due to terrible credentials (academically and personally). So the majority of them would rather do their best to lessen their workloads and, even if they know you are onto something, since they can’t really speak English and won’t understand you, they will often avoid confronting you (like i said before, troubles will stay away from you!).

As a native Hong Kong citizen, I want to say that there are little to no natural disasters risk in Hong Kong. It is nearly impossible to have flooding, landslides as well as hurricane, earthquake… Only mild typhoons occur in summer so the natural disaster risk should be extremely low.

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Article Contents

• Hong Kong : Safety by City
• Overall Risk
• Transport & Taxis Risk
• Pickpockets Risk
• Natural Disasters Risk
• Mugging Risk
• Terrorism Risk
• Women Travelers Risk
• Weather Averages (Temperatures)
• User Reviews
• Share Your Experience

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COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Hong Kong travel advice

Latest updates: Laws and culture – updated information on national security laws

Last updated: April 11, 2024 10:29 ET

On this page

Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, hong kong - exercise a high degree of caution.

Exercise a high degree of caution in Hong Kong due to the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws.

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Petty crime

Petty crime such as pickpocketing and purse snatching occurs, particularly:

• at the airport
• on public transportation
• in main shopping areas and markets
• in hotel lobbies
• on crowded streets
• at tourist attractions

Violent crime

Serious crime against foreigners is relatively rare, but incidents may occur.

While in Hong Kong:

• be vigilant in crowded locations
• don’t carry large sums of money
• ensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times

Spiked food and drinks

Foreigners have been targeted in incidents of drink spiking, particularly in the Wan Chai area. Items containing drugs could put you at risk of sexual assault, robbery or credit card fraud.

• Be cautious of unsolicited requests from strangers
• Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers
• Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances

Credit card and ATM fraud occurs. When using debit or credit cards:

• pay careful attention when others are handling your cards
• use ATMs located inside a bank or business
• avoid using card readers with an irregular or unusual feature
• cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN
• check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements

Overseas fraud

Demonstrations

Demonstrations are illegal without prior approval from the local government. However, unauthorized and spontaneous demonstrations could still occur.

Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

If you participate in or are witness to a demonstration, you may be subject to scrutiny and severe legal action.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Don’t film or take pictures of demonstrations
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Cyber security

You shouldn’t expect internet privacy. Your communications may be monitored at any time, and authorities may review the content stored or consulted on your electronic devices.

Authorities will be on the lookout for material appearing to be seditious or that is critical of mainland China and local authorities

Cyber security while travelling

Journalism and research

Journalists and other media workers in Hong Kong are now facing certain restrictions in the context of their work.

You should be particularly vigilant if researching or reporting on subjects critical of or sensitive to the government. You may face censorship.

Road safety

Traffic is congested in urban areas. Roads are narrow and frequently unmarked.

Public transportation

Public transportation in Hong Kong is safe and reliable.

Public transportation in Hong Kong - Transport Department of Hong Kong

Taxis are widely available. Ride-sharing services are also available.

Most taxi drivers don’t speak English or French. If you don’t speak Chinese, you should arrange for a person to write out your destination in Chinese characters before you go.

• Use only officially marked taxis or a trusted ride-sharing app
• Negotiate fares in advance, or insist that the driver use the meter, as you may be overcharged

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Hong Kong is a special administrative region (SAR) of the People's Republic of China.

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Chinese authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid at least 1 month beyond the date you expect to leave Hong Kong.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required for stays of up to 90 days Business visa: not required for stays of up to 90 days Student visa: required

If you plan to visit or transit through mainland China, make sure you obtain a Chinese visa before your trip.

If you plan to travel between Hong Kong, Macao and mainland China, make sure you apply for a visa allowing multiple entries.

• Immigration, visas and residency information - Immigration Department of Hong Kong
• Applying for visas for mainland China in Hong Kong - Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China in Hong Kong
• Entry/exit requirements for mainland China

Screening of digital devices

Border officials may review the content stored or consulted on your electronic devices, particularly at border crossings between Hong Kong and mainland China.

Temperature screening

All travellers are subject to body temperature screening upon entry into Hong Kong.

Latest information for inbound travellers – Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Yellow fever is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is no risk of yellow fever in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is not required to enter this country.

Recommendation

• Vaccination is not recommended.

* It is important to note that country entry requirements may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

Japanese encephalitis is a viral infection that can cause swelling of the brain.  It is spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. Risk is very low for most travellers. Travellers at relatively higher risk may want to consider vaccination for JE prior to travelling.

Travellers are at higher risk if they will be:

• travelling long term (e.g. more than 30 days)
• making multiple trips to endemic areas
• staying for extended periods in rural areas
• visiting an area suffering a JE outbreak
• engaging in activities involving high contact with mosquitos (e.g., entomologists)

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

In this destination, rabies  may be present in some wildlife species, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. 

If you are bitten or scratched by an animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. 

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who will be working directly with wildlife. 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country.  The risk may vary between regions of a country.  Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya.

Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever is a viral disease that can cause fever, pain and bleeding under the skin.  In some cases, it can be fatal.  It spreads to humans through contact with infected animal blood or tissues, or from the bite of an infected tick.  Risk is generally low for most travellers.  Protect yourself from tick bites and avoid animals, particularly livestock.  There is no vaccine available for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever.

• In this country, risk of  dengue  is sporadic. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites.
• Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal.
• The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region.
• Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites . There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue fever.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs.

For most travellers the risk of tuberculosis is low.

Travellers who may be at high risk while travelling in regions with risk of tuberculosis should discuss pre- and post-travel options with a health care professional.

High-risk travellers include those visiting or working in prisons, refugee camps, homeless shelters, or hospitals, or travellers visiting friends and relatives.

Medical services and facilities

Good medical care is widely available. Private hospitals may require confirmation of insurance coverage, guarantee of payment or an up-front deposit before admitting patients.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Safeguarding National Security Ordinance 2024 and National Security Law 2020

The 2024 Safeguarding National Security Ordinance and the 2020 National Security Law have broadened the range of national security offenses, which now include:

• organisation and perpetration of terrorist activities
• unlawful disclosure of state secrets
• collusion with a foreign country or with external elements that endanger national security
• support to someone accused of endangering national security

They could also include activities that are not considered illegal in Canada and that occurred outside of Hong Kong, and could include social media posts. The Hong Kong SAR Government has issued arrest warrants for individuals outside of Hong Kong they identified as criminals who committed acts endangering national security. If you are suspected of endangering national security, you could be detained without charge for up to 16 days and denied access to a legal representative for up to 48 hours.

You risk being arbitrarily detained on national security grounds, even while you are transiting through Hong Kong. You could be subject to transfer to mainland China for prosecution. Penalties are severe and include life imprisonment.

Bans and sanctions

The Chinese government may ban or sanction entities or individuals for actions, including oral or written statements, and associations with entities that are critical of:

• the Communist Party of China
• the Chinese government
• Chinese leaders and policies

The Government of the People's Republic of China does not publicize a list of banned or sanctioned entities or individuals, and the implementation of bans or sanctions remains vague. The effect on individuals associated with banned or sanctioned entities is unknown.

It could include:

• a ban on travel to mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao
• freezing of assets
• prohibition of business or association with Chinese citizens and organizations

Hong Kong authorities can enforce Chinese court orders. If you believe you may be subject of a ban or sanctions, consult a lawyer and contact the closest office of the Government of Canada.

Movement restrictions

Under the national security and immigration laws, Hong Kong authorities may prevent specific individuals from leaving the territory. In the absence of clarifying legislation, these new powers may relate to investigations into an individual, their family or an employer, and criminal and civil matters.

You may not be aware that you are the subject of movement restrictions until you try to leave Hong Kong. It may be difficult to obtain information on movement restrictions from local authorities.

If you're unable to leave Hong Kong because of restrictions on your movement, consult a lawyer and inform the Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong.

Facial recognition and use of video surveillance (CCTV)

Law enforcement agencies may rely on facial recognition technology and video surveillance to police, monitor and control illegal or restricted activities, including participation in demonstrations.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Prohibited or controlled items

Hong Kong has strict laws regarding the use, importation or exportation of different items, including:

• firearms and live ammunition
• items that may be used as weapons, such as knuckledusters, extendable batons or stunning devices
• e-cigarettes
• powdered baby formula
• plant or animal products that could carry disease or pests

Your luggage will be scanned upon entry. You could face legal issues if you carry or try to travel with prohibited items.

Confirm the restrictions with the local authorities before travelling.

• Prohibited / Controlled Items - Customs and Excise Department of Hong Kong
• Restricted items - Hong Kong Police Force

Photography

Photography of military installations or government buildings may be restricted. Seek permission from local authorities before taking photographs.

Dual citizenship

The Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China applies in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Under this law, dual citizenship is not legally recognized in Hong Kong.

If local authorities consider you a citizen of China, they may refuse to grant you access to Canadian consular services. This will prevent us from providing you with those services.

If you are a Canadian dual citizen born in Hong Kong or with current or previous Hong Kong residency, you need to complete a declaration of nationality in order to be treated as a Canadian citizen. Consult the Hong Kong Immigration Department regarding this process.

• Chinese nationality - Hong Kong Immigration Department
• General information for travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. The convention applies between Canada and Hong Kong.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Hong Kong, and if the applicable conditions are met, you may apply for the return of your child to the Hong Kong court.

If you are in this situation:

• act as quickly as you can
• contact the Central Authority for your province or territory of residence for information on starting an application under The Hague Convention
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Hong Kong to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• List of Canadian Central Authorities for the Hague Convention
• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• The Hague Convention - Hague Conference on Private International Law
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Traffic drives on the left.

As a tourist, you can use your valid Canadian driver's licence for up to 12 months. You should carry an international driving permit.

If you are a resident of Hong Kong, you can exchange your Canadian licence for a local one under certain conditions.

• Driving in Hong Kong - Transport Department of Hong Kong
• More about the International Driving Permit

The currency is the Hong Kong dollar (HKD).

Upon entering or leaving Hong Kong, you must make a declaration to customs if you travel with more than HKD 120,000 or the equivalent in other currencies. The sum can be in cash, cheques, money orders, traveller’s cheques or any other convertible assets.

Declaration of currency and bearer negotiable instruments - Customs and Excise Department of Hong Kong

Typhoons and monsoon

The rainy (or monsoon) season extends from May to October. Typhoons usually occur between April and October.

During this period, even small storm can quickly develop into typhoons. These severe storms can put you at risk and hamper the provision of essential services.

Severe rainstorms have occasionally caused flooding and landslides, resulting in loss of life and damage to infrastructure.

The Hong Kong observatory issues alerts before a significant storm or other meteorological risk.

If you decide to travel to Hong Kong during the rainy season:

• know that you may expose yourself to safety risks
• be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice, including cutting short or cancelling your trip
• stay informed of the latest regional weather forecasts
• carry emergency contact information for your airline or tour operator
• follow the advice and instructions of local authorities
• Current weather and alerts - Hong Kong Observatory
• Information on tropical cyclone warning signals - Hong Kong Observatory
• Tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons
• Large-scale emergencies abroad

Heat and humidity

Humidity and heat are most severe during the hot season, from May to October.

Know the symptoms of dehydration and heatstroke, both of which can be fatal.

Air pollution

Air pollution can be severe in Hong Kong.

During periods of high pollution:

• limit outdoor activities
• monitor local media and air pollution levels
• follow the instructions of local authorities

Air pollution in Hong Kong  - World Air Quality Index

Local services

Dial 999 for emergency assistance.

 Consular assistance

For emergency consular assistance, call the Consulate General of Canada in Hong Kong and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

The Peak Tram service has been temporarily suspended due to adverse weather conditions. Visitors are advised to consider alternative modes of transportation, such as buses, minibuses or taxis to reach The Peak. 

For more information, please visit their website . 

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Hong kong tourism board, what you should know before travelling to hong kong.

Hong Kong is a vibrant city with much to explore, and it’s also easy to get around. Great deals are everywhere, and payment is hassle-free, making your trip even more enjoyable. Check out these tips to prepare for your visit and fully experience this bustling metropolis.

Table of Content

• Payment methods​
• Getting around​
• Electrical adaptors and voltage​
• Useful apps and tools​
• Travel, accommodation and dining deals​
• Contact us for advice​

1) How to pay in Hong Kong: cash, credit, Octopus, or mobile?

Most international credit cards, such as American Express, VISA, and MasterCard, are accepted at hotels, shops, and restaurants in Hong Kong. Some stores also accept mobile payments like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Alipay, and WeChat Pay. You can find out which payment methods are accepted by checking the signs displayed at the entrance or cash register.​

There are still some shops and restaurants in Hong Kong that only accept cash or Octopus cards, so it is recommended that you visit a currency exchange to obtain enough cash before venturing out. Alternatively, you can purchase or rent an  Octopus card , or  download the tourist version of the Octopus app  to your mobile phone. Using an Octopus card or app will not only make it easy for you to use public transportation, but also enable you to make purchases at convenience stores, supermarkets, and restaurants with just a simple tap.

2) Easy travel: getting around

One of the best parts about Hong Kong is how easy it is to travel to and within. It’s visa-free for many countries and it’s smooth sailing getting through the airport to start your Hong Kong adventure! Transportation in Hong Kong is efficient and affordable with multiple options for getting around this easily navigable city.

3) Hong Kong weather

Hong Kong’s weather is pleasant most of the time and doesn’t experience extremes, as its sub-tropical. It does get quite humid in summer and cool in winter, so pack accordingly for those swings.

4) Adaptors and voltage

Depending on where you’re coming from, you’ll likely need an electrical adaptor. Hong Kong uses the UK-style plug, which is three-pronged. Double-check the electrical voltage, as Hong Kong’s may differ from your home country.

5) Stay connected: apps, SIM, Wi-Fi

Staying connected and accessing the help you need have never been easier or faster. Tons of advice and helpful hints are available from  travel apps  and easily downloadable  guidebooks . Getting a local sim card and finding Wi-Fi hotspots are super simple in the city.

There are tons of deals available throughout Hong Kong, whether you’re searching for hot offers at swanky hotels or budget stays, or discounts for top attractions and culinary delights , Hong Kong is truly a world city with plenty to offer.

7) Expert advice: plan your trip with us

Looking for new attractions, upcoming events or recommendations? The Hong Kong Tourism Board Visitor Centres are a great and friendly place for personalised advice and tips.

• Customs & culture
• Practical Info

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Latest update

Exercise a high degree of caution in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong (PDF 368.67 KB)

Asia (PDF 2.21 MB)

Local emergency contacts

Fire and rescue services, medical emergencies, advice levels.

Exercise a high degree of caution  in Hong Kong.

Exercise a high degree of caution  in Hong Kong. 

• The Hong Kong Government strictly controls demonstrations. Authorities may arrest protesters. Avoid protests and large gatherings. Don't photograph or video protests.
• Violent crime is rare, but some petty crime happens. Thieves target tourist spots and crowded places, such as markets and trains. Take care of your belongings.
• Travellers have had drinks spiked in bars and nightclubs. This may lead to theft or credit card fraud. Don't accept food, drink, cigarettes or gum from strangers. Don't leave your drinks unattended.
• Scammers may ask for help carrying luggage or ask for money. Fake arrests, lotteries, or schemes involving property, holiday clubs or timeshares occur. Never carry anything for someone you don't know. Do thorough research. Get legal advice before sending money or signing documents.
• Hong Kong experiences typhoons. If the warning level is Typhoon 8 or Black Rain Signal, businesses, transport services and the Australian Consulate-General will close. Follow advice from local officials. Contact your travel operator about delays.

Full travel advice: Safety

• It's illegal to carry sleeping tablets and some medication without a prescription. Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor.
• Hong Kong has very high humidity from May to October. Reduce physical and outdoor activities on very humid days. Hong Kong can have very high pollution levels. If you have a heart or breathing condition, do less physical activity when the air quality index health risk is high.
• Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is common. It mostly affects children aged under 10 years, but adult cases occur, particularly in young adults. Wash your hands thoroughly and often.
• Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases including bird flu sometimes occur. Drink only filtered or bottled water from bottles with sealed lids. Avoid raw or undercooked food. Avoid contact with animals.

Full travel advice: Health

• Hong Kong's Safeguarding National Security law will come into effect on 23 March 2024. The law includes additional national security offences. You could be detained without charge for up to 16 days and denied access to a lawyer for up to 48 hours.
• The 2024 Safeguarding National Security Law and the 2020 National Security Law may be interpreted broadly. The laws could be applied to activities that occurred outside Hong Kong, including social media posts. You could break the law without intending to. You may be at increased risk of detention. The maximum penalty under these laws in Hong Kong is life imprisonment. The Australian Government can't intervene in the Hong Kong judicial process. Denial of entry to Hong Kong is also possible.
• Don't use, carry or traffic illegal drugs. Penalties include heavy fines and jail time.
• Cannabidiol  (CBD) is listed as a dangerous drug in Hong Kong. Possession and consumption carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment. Trafficking and illicit manufacturing carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
• It's illegal to take part in public demonstrations without Hong Kong government approval. Avoid large public gatherings.
• Chinese law doesn't recognise dual nationality. The Australian Government may be unable to help if you enter Hong Kong on a travel document other than your Australian passport or if you're deemed a Hong Kong or Chinese national. If you're travelling from Hong Kong to Macau or mainland China, use your Australian passport. 
• Hong Kong law allows dual nationals of Chinese descent to register their Australian nationality with the  Immigration Department . If Hong Kong authorities consider you a citizen of China, they may refuse to grant you access to Australian consular services. This will prevent the Australian Government from providing you with those services.

Full travel advice: Local laws

• Hong Kong has separate immigration regulations to China. You generally won't need a tourist visa if you stay less than 90 days. In all other cases, you'll need a visa. Contact the  Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Sydney  for details.
• Your temperature may be checked when you arrive in Hong Kong. For the latest requirements, see  Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection  or contact your airline or travel agent.  
• If you're travelling from Hong Kong to mainland China, you'll need a PRC visa.

Full travel advice: Travel

Local contacts

• The Consular Services Charter details what we can and can't do to help you overseas.
• For consular assistance, contact the Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong .
• To stay up to date with local information, follow the Consulate-General's social media accounts.

Full travel advice: Local contacts

Full advice

Civil unrest and political tension.

Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.

The Hong Kong Government prohibits demonstrations that they haven't approved. Authorities may arrest protesters.

Avoid protests, demonstrations and large gatherings.

Don't photograph, film or participate in protests or other acts that authorities may consider provocative.

If there are signs of disorder, move away quickly and seek shelter in a safe place.

Increased screening, including of digital devices, is possible for travellers crossing between Hong Kong and mainland China.  

To stay safe during civil unrest:

• avoid large gatherings and protests
• monitor the media for possible unrest and avoid those areas
• follow the advice of local authorities

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest
• Transport Department – special traffic news
• Hong Kong Police Facebook
• Hong Kong Police 'X' (formerly Twitter): @hkpoliceforce
• Local media:  https://www.scmp.com/  or  https://news.rthk.hk/rthk/en/

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

Terrorist threats

Petty crime

There's little violent crime in Hong Kong. You could encounter pickpocketing and street theft.

Thieves target tourist spots and crowded places such as markets and trains.

Take care of your belongings, especially in crowded places.

Drink spiking

Foreigners have had drinks spiked in bars and nightclubs. Drink spiking may be combined with theft or credit card fraud. 

To reduce your risk of drink spiking:

• don't accept drinks, food, gum or cigarettes from strangers or new friends
• don't leave food or drinks unattended

Partying safely

Scams against Australian travellers are increasing.

Criminals sometimes present themselves as people in need.

One scam starts via the internet. A person might offer you gift cards or money to help carry someone's luggage on an international flight. They may ask for your money, credit card or online bank account details.

Other reported scams involve:

• fake arrests
• holiday club or timeshare schemes
• scratch lottery tickets
• foreign lottery schemes
• relationships

Be wary of strangers asking for your help.

Never carry anything for anyone you don't know and trust, especially when crossing international borders. There's a risk that criminals have hidden drugs or other illegal items inside.

To avoid becoming a victim of a scam:

• don't send money or give credit card or bank account details to anyone you don't know and trust
• thoroughly research any scheme or agreement before signing or paying money
• seek legal advice before signing any property contract

Cyber security

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you're connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth. 

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media. 

More information:  

• Cyber security when travelling overseas  

Climate and natural disasters

Hong Kong experiences typhoons .

Local safety rules require businesses and transport services to close during typhoons or very heavy rain.

The Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong closes when the 'Typhoon 8' or 'Black Rain' signal is given.

Authorities may delay or suspend flights and ferries into and out of Hong Kong. Contact your travel operator or airline to find out about delays.

If there's a typhoon:

• monitor weather forecasts and plan accordingly
• know your hotel or cruise ship's evacuation plans
• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
• take official warnings seriously

If there's a natural disaster or severe weather :

• monitor the news and other local information sources
• monitor the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• keep in contact with friends and family

Hong Kong Observatory

Travel insurance

Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. 

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. 

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up   
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips  (Healthdirect Australia)

Medications

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Hong Kong. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.

It's illegal to have sleeping tablets and certain other medications without a prescription. These include medications used to treat erectile dysfunction or anxiety.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medicine is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use
• Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department

Health risks

Hong Kong experiences very high humidity during summer, from May to October.

Reduce physical exertion and outdoor activities on very humid days.

Air pollution

High levels of air pollution may trigger bronchial, sinus or asthma conditions.

If you have an existing heart or breathing difficulties, reduce physical and outdoor activities on days with high pollution.

You can monitor real-time air quality index reports for Hong Kong.

Insect-borne diseases

Outbreaks of mosquito-borne illnesses, including dengue , sometimes occur.

To protect yourself from disease:

• ensure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

Hand, foot and mouth disease

Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is common. Serious outbreaks sometimes occur. Outbreaks usually start in March or April and peak in May. Sometimes they last until October.

HFMD mostly affects children aged younger than 10 years, but adult cases, particularly in young adults, occur.

HFMD is spread by direct contact with discharges of infected people.

Other health risks

Waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases occur sometimes. These include:

• tuberculosis

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink only filtered water or bottled water from bottles with sealed lids

Seek medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

Bird flu (avian influenza)

Human cases of avian influenza A (H7N9) have been reported in mainland China.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) Government is currently at 'Alert' response level for influenza, including avian influenza A (H7N9). This is the lowest level in the 3-tier alert system.

To reduce your risk:

• wash your hands often
• use good food safety practices
• avoid contact with animals
• Department of Health and Aged Care
• World Health Organisation

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus

The Hong Kong SAR Government is currently at 'Alert' response level for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) . This is the lowest level in the 3-tier alert system.

Hong Kong's Department of Health checks for MERS-CoV at border control points.

Travellers who arrive in, or transit through, Hong Kong and have flu-like symptoms may be sent to a public hospital. The hospital will isolate the person until they test negative for MERS-CoV.

• Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection

Medical care

Medical facilities.

Medical services and facilities are of a high standard.

Costs can be higher than in Australia.

Private hospitals may require you to confirm your insurance cover or pay a deposit up-front before they will admit you.

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

Hong Kong's Safeguarding National Security law will come into effect on 23 March 2024. The law includes additional national security offences. You could be detained without charge for up to 16 days and denied access to a lawyer for up to 48 hours. People arrested under national security laws have faced lengthy periods on remand while their cases are heard by Hong Kong courts.

The 2024 Safeguarding National Security Law and the 2020 National Security Law may be interpreted broadly. The laws could be applied to activities that occurred outside Hong Kong, including social media posts. You could break the laws without intending to, and you may be at increased risk of detention. The maximum penalty under these laws in Hong Kong is life imprisonment.

Under the new security laws, you could be deported or face possible transfer to mainland China for prosecution under mainland law. Denial of entry to Hong Kong is also possible. Hong Kong authorities have issued arrest warrants against individuals living outside Hong Kong, including in Australia. Hong Kong authorities have also offered financial rewards for information on those individuals. 

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our  Consular Services Charter . But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

The Australian Government can't intervene in the Hong Kong judicial process.

If local authorities consider you a citizen of China, they may refuse to grant you access to Australian consular services. This will prevent the Australian Government from providing you with those services.

Possessing illegal drugs of any kind, including marijuana, can result in penalties that include heavy fines and jail time.

Officials have arrested many foreigners for trafficking drugs. 

Cannabidiol  (CBD) has been listed as a dangerous drug under the control of the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance (Chapter 134, Laws of Hong Kong) (DDO) in Hong Kong. Possession and consumption carries a maximum penalty of seven years imprisonment. Trafficking and illicit manufacturing of CBD carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Importing weapons

Strict rules control the import or possession of:

• any type of weapon
• any item that looks like a weapon, including replicas, antiques, toys and fashion accessories

Hong Kong has prosecuted foreigners, including Australians, for possessing:

• stunning devices such as taser guns
• dart and spear guns
• knuckledusters
• extendable batons
• tear gas and pepper spray

You can import, possess or purchase such items legally, including from local Hong Kong markets. To do this, you must get a permit from local authorities in advance.

These laws apply to people in Hong Kong and those transiting Hong Kong airport.

If authorities find you carrying such items (including in your luggage), they may arrest, fine or detain you.

Importing Products

Hong Kong has strict import rules. If you don't follow these rules, you could be fined and/or imprisoned.  

More information: 

• Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department - Controlled Imports

It's illegal to:

• take part in public demonstrations without Hong Kong government approval
• take photos of military installations

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

Staying within the law

Dual citizenship

The Nationality Law of the People's Republic of China applies in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR). Under this law, dual citizenship is not legally recognised in Hong Kong.  However, Hong Kong's law allows dual nationals of Chinese descent to register their Australian nationality. 

Register with the Hong Kong Immigration Department if you wish to be considered a national of Australia. 

If you're an Australian-Hong Kong dual national, you can make a Declaration of Change of Nationality. Find out what the consequences of this are from the Hong Kong Immigration Department .

If local authorities consider you a citizen of China they may refuse you access to Australian consular services. This can happen even if you entered Hong Kong on an Australian or other foreign passport, and you:

• haven't renounced your Chinese citizenship according to Chinese law
• haven't formally advised the Chinese authorities of your Australian citizenship
• continue to maintain a passport issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or by China.

Authorities may not allow certain categories of Chinese citizens, such as state officials, to renounce their Chinese nationality under Chinese law.

Get professional legal advice if you're not sure of your citizenship status under Chinese law.

If you plan to enter mainland China or Macau from Hong Kong, travel on your Australian passport .

Local authorities may not allow consular access if you enter Hong Kong on a travel document other than your Australian passport, or if local authorities identify you as a Hong Kong or Chinese national.   

• Dual nationals
• Travel advice for China

LGBTI travellers

Same-sex relationships are legal.

Most locals accept or are indifferent to LGBTI travellers. However, community attitudes towards LGBTI people are generally more conservative than in Australia.

Avoid public displays of affection.

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. 

Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of China. This means it has separate immigration regulations from those of the People's Republic of China.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. For details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules, contact:

• the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Sydney
• the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Immigration Department

If you plan to travel between Hong Kong and mainland China, you'll need a visa.

If you plan to return to China after visiting Hong Kong, get a multiple-entry visa for China. If you don't get this visa, you'll need a new visa to re-enter China. Get your visa before leaving Australia.

If you've recently changed your passport, but your Chinese visa is still in the old passport, take both passports with you. Officials may ask you to present your previous passport and Chinese visa.

China travel advice

Border measures

Your temperature may be checked on arrival in Hong Kong. For the latest requirements, see  Hong Kong Centre for Health Protection  or contact your airline or travel agent.

Transit via Hong Kong

Refer to the  Hong Kong International Airport website  or contact your airline or travel agent for details on transiting Hong Kong.

• Hong Kong International Airport

Hong Kong Transport Department

Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.

Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.

You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport .

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service .
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate .

Passport with 'X' gender identifier 

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can't guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest  embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers. 

• LGBTI travellers  

The currency in Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Dollar (HKD).

Under Hong Kong law, travellers in and out of Hong Kong may need to declare cash. Make a written declaration if you're carrying more than HKD120,000 or equivalent in cash.

You can change Australian dollars for HKD at local currency exchanges and banks.

Credit cards are widely accepted.

Take care when using ATMs, as petty crime occurs. See Safety

Hong Kong Customs list of prohibited/controlled items

Local travel

Accommodation.

Unlicensed guesthouses providing low-cost accommodation operate in Hong Kong. They may not follow the safety standards set for licensed guesthouses. Don't risk your safety or security.

If you choose to stay in a guesthouse, confirm it's licensed. Tell your family and friends where you are staying.

Home Affairs Department of Hong Kong

Driving permit

You can drive in Hong Kong for up to 12 months if you have a valid Australian driver's licence or International Driving Permit (IDP).

Make sure your insurance covers you if you drive without a Hong Kong driver's licence.

If you're residing in Hong Kong, then you should only drive using a Hong Kong driver's licence.

Road travel

Hong Kong has a well-developed road network of similar standards to a large Australian city.

Check you have adequate insurance before driving.

Find out about local road rules and practices.

Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Check your insurance covers you for riding motorbikes.

Most travel insurance policies won't cover you if you don't follow local laws or wear a helmet.

Always wear a helmet.

Use only licensed taxis or reputable limousine services. Arrange them through your hotel if you can. Always insist that the meter is used.

A small, but growing number of foreigners have gotten into disputes with taxi drivers over the fare. Be prepared to pay cash for your Hong Kong taxi.

If you have an issue with a taxi driver, ask for a receipt. Then record the taxi driver's licence number and contact the police.

Public transport

Hong Kong has an extensive public transport system. It includes the MTR, buses, ferries and trams.

• Public transport in Hong Kong
• Transport and getting around safely

Ferries are a common mode of transport between Hong Kong, Macau and the Chinese mainland.

Some cruise lines stop over in Hong Kong.

• Travelling by boat
• Going on a cruise

DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check Hong Kong's air safety profile on the Aviation Safety Network.

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Consular contacts

Read the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.

For consular assistance, contact the Australian Consulate-General in Hong Kong.

Australian Consulate-General, Hong Kong

23/F Harbour Centre, 25 Harbour Road

Wanchai, Hong Kong

Phone: (+852) 2827 8881

Fax: (+852) 2585 4457

Website:  https://hongkong.consulate.gov.au/

Facebook: Australia in Hong Kong and Macau

X (formerly Twitter):  @AusCGHK

Check the Consulate-General website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia

Travelling to Hong Kong?

Sign up to get the latest travel advice updates..

Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.

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Should you visit Hong Kong in 2024?

In February 2020, Hong Kong made international headlines when it announced that it would be closing its border with China at midnight of that day. This move was made in response to the demands of the Hong Kong population, long before other countries started closing their borders. This event is significant as it provides a context for understanding the situation and reason behind the country’s closure. You couldn’t even think to visit Hong Kong during this period.

READ MORE : What you should be doing in Hong Kong right now

In early 2020, Hong Kong was already facing its own set of challenges, including widespread protests that had driven tourists away, leaving the city a ghost town. When COVID-19 first began to spread, the impact on the city was minimal, and the virus was widely seen as a “China disease” . As a result, most people in Hong Kong did not wear masks, and the nightlife in places like Wan Chai continued uninterrupted.

However, the situation changed as the pandemic spread, and international borders were closed, leading to lockdowns, deaths, and vaccinations. Despite being supplied with vaccines from both China and the West, Hong Kong was slow to vaccinate, and the economy remained slow to reopen despite its heavy reliance on tourism.

The gradual reopening to tourists

Hong Kong slowly started to reopen to tourism in May 2022, with a sliding scale of quarantine levels that could eventually be done at home. However, the rules were regularly changed and remained confusing to many, contrasting with places like Cambodia and Thailand, which threw open their doors. Instead, Hong Kong followed in the footsteps of mainland China and Taiwan, acting with more caution.

As things stand, visitors to Hong Kong need only show proof of vaccination, without being tested. However, they may be asked to take a random test at the airport, and it remains unclear what would happen should they test positive.

Hong Kong in 2024 has a very different attitude towards COVID-19 than it did in early 2020. This is evident at the airport, where staff members are quick to provide masks and ensure compliance. Visitors are required to sign a document indicating that they will be fined HKD 500 (USD 70) if they test positive for COVID-19. Unlike other places, COVID-19 still dominates the news and public service broadcasts, with the elderly being encouraged to get vaccinated.

Hong Kong’s struggle to get its older population vaccinated is unrelated to the policies of mainland China, and it highlights the challenges that the city faces in reopening fully.

On January 8, 2023, the border between China and Hong Kong reopened, which was a significant event for the city. However, the process of reopening has been slow, reflecting Hong Kong’s cautious approach to COVID-19.

The current situation in Hong Kong for tourists

Hong Kong has dropped the vaccination requirement for Hongkongers and international arrivals. Unvaccinated residents and non-residents will be able to enter the city without restriction. This means that anyone can enter Hong Kong, regardless of their vaccination status. However, visitors are still required to follow some protocols to keep the city safe.

What are the entry requirements to visit Hong Kong?

With Covid-19 measures now eased in Hong Kong, including arrival restrictions, international travellers looking to explore the city are now free to enter. If your country requires a visa to visit Hong Kong, please obtain one before your trip. Testing before boarding are not mandated, but those who take the test may voluntarily declare the test result via the Department of Health’s electronic health declaration form.

If you’re not a permanent Hong Kong resident and travelling under a work or tourist visa, ensure your visa has a sufficient validity period, or you will be denied entry. The Immigration Department (ImmD) provides electronic services for visa application and ‘e-Visa’ arrangements, allowing applicants to complete the entire process without going to the immigration office in person. Suppose your visa is under renewal and is getting delayed. In that case, it is best to send an authorised representative to the ImmD office to fix your reentry as emails and phone calls will take a long time.

Can you around freely when you visit Hong Kong?

Yes, Covid-19 regulations have already eased in Hong Kong. You can freely explore all the incredible things to do in the city. Mask-wearing mandate, the last major rule to fight against Covid-19, has been lifted since March 1. However, it is recommended that visitors keep updated with the latest Covid-19 measures in the city.

What to do upon arrival in Hong Kong?

After arriving in Hong Kong International Airport, all visitors are required to take a health declaration form and present a valid identification document, including a passport or an identity card. When you visit Hong Kong you should ensure that you have filled in the electronic health declaration form and submitted it to the Department of Health within 48 hours before boarding their flight to Hong Kong. Upon arrival, visitors should present the printout of the electronic health declaration form to the health officials.

After completing the health declaration process, visitors can proceed to the immigration counters to have their travel documents processed. Visitors should ensure that they have a valid visa or entry permit before they travel to Hong Kong.

If visitors do not have a visa or entry permit, they should proceed to the relevant counters to have their entry permit processed. Visitors who require a visa should have their visa processed before they travel to Hong Kong.

After completing the immigration process, visitors can proceed to the baggage claim area to collect their luggage. Visitors should ensure that they have their luggage tags and boarding passes ready for inspection. Visitors can then proceed to the customs area for inspection.

READ MORE : Here’s our list of the best things to eat in Hong Kong

The future of tourism in Hong Kong

Despite the challenges that Hong Kong has faced in reopening to tourists, there is reason to be optimistic about the future of tourism in the city. Hong Kong is a world-class destination that offers a unique blend of cultural and natural attractions, from its iconic skyline to its beautiful hiking trails.

As Hong Kong continues to reopen, it is likely that the city will take steps to encourage tourists to visit, including easing travel restrictions and promoting local attractions. In the meantime, visitors to Hong Kong can still enjoy many of the city’s highlights, such as its vibrant street markets, delicious cuisine, and breathtaking views.

Hong Kong’s response to COVID-19 has been cautious and measured, reflecting the city’s unique position as a Special Administrative Region of China. The slow reopening of the city to tourism has been a challenging process, but there is reason to be hopeful about the future. As Hong Kong continues to reopen, it will be essential to balance the need to protect public health with the desire to welcome visitors and revive the city’s economy.

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Hong Kong slams ‘political manoeuvres’ as US and Canada urge travellers to exercise caution in city

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US and Canadian authorities’ calls for caution when travelling to Hong Kong following the enactment of new security legislation amounted to “political manoeuvres” and “twisted remarks,” the city’s government has said .

The Hong Kong government on Saturday “strongly condemned” the US and Canada after the two countries warned travellers about “arbitrary enforcement of local laws” under the Beijing-imposed national security law and the newly passed Safeguarding National Security Ordinance .

In the Saturday statement, a government spokesperson defended the laws, saying that the new legislation targets acts endangering national security “with precision” and “defines elements and penalties of the offences with clarity.”

Hong Kong also slammed Australia, the UK, and Taiwan after they updated their travel advisories in a similarly worded rebuttal last month.

According to the US Department of State, Hong Kong is a Level 2 destination, meaning travellers were advised to “exercise increased caution due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.”

“Following the Hong Kong SAR government’s enactment of its own Safeguarding National Security Ordinance on March 23, 2024, Hong Kong SAR authorities are expected to take additional actions to further restrict civil liberties,” an update made to the travel advisory last Friday read.

The US also cautioned against participating in demonstrations “or any other activities that authorities interpret as constituting an act of secession, subversion, terrorism, or collusion with a foreign country.”

Canada on Thursday advised travellers to exercise a “high degree of caution… due to the risk of arbitrary enforcement of local laws.”

The advisory said that the scope of the city’s security laws could include activities not considered illegal in Canada and that occurred outside Hong Kong, including social media posts.

It also said that journalists in Hong Kong faced restrictions in their work. “You should be particularly vigilant if researching or reporting on subjects critical of or sensitive to the government. You may face censorship,” it said.

In the Saturday statement, the Hong Kong said the city “has always welcomed ordinary travellers and businessmen” including those from the US and Canada. “They will not conduct acts and activities endangering national security and will not unwittingly violate the law, and therefore have no reason to be worried.”

“Only intruders trying to plunder and loot will not want Hong Kong to safeguard our country in accordance with the law,” the statement continued.

“The HKSAR Government strongly urges the relevant countries to stop their attempts to interfere Hong Kong in safeguarding national security in accordance with the law by deploying such political tactics as updating the so-called foreign travel advice,” it said.

Separate to the 2020 Beijing-enacted  security law , the homegrown  Safeguarding National Security Ordinance – known locally as Article 23 – targets treason, insurrection, sabotage, external interference, sedition, theft of state secrets and espionage.

It allows for  pre-charge detention  of to up to 16 days, and  suspects’ access to lawyers  may be restricted, with penalties involving  up to life in prison .  Article 23 was shelved  in 2003 amid mass protests, remaining taboo for years. But, on March 23, 2024, it was enacted having been  fast-tracked  and unanimously approved at the city’s opposition-free legislature.

The law has  been criticised by rights NGOs ,  Western states  and  the UN  as vague, broad and “regressive.” Authorities, however, cited perceived foreign interference and a constitutional duty to “close loopholes” after the  2019 protests and unrest .

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James Lee Reporter

James Lee is a reporter at Hong Kong Free Press with an interest in culture and social issues. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English and a minor in Journalism from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, where he witnessed the institution’s transformation over the course of the 2019 extradition bill protests and after the passing of the Beijing-imposed security law.

Since joining HKFP in 2023, he has covered local politics, the city’s housing crisis, as well as landmark court cases including the 47 democrats national security trial. He was previously a reporter at The Standard where he interviewed pro-establishment heavyweights and extensively covered the Covid-19 pandemic and Hong Kong’s political overhauls under the national security law.

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Beneath the calm, Hong Kong’s new security law drives deeper, quieter changes

FILE - Visitors look at sunset from a hill in Hong Kong, Friday, March 22, 2024. Two weeks after Hong Kong introduced a new national security law, life in the city appears unchanged. A 2020 law drew thousands of protesters to the streets when it was enacted. Now, that’s seen as too risky.(AP Photo/Louise Delmotte, File)

FILE - Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu poses for photographs with lawmakers following the passing of the Basic Law Article 23 legislation at the Legislative Council in Hong Kong, Tuesday, March 19, 2024. Two weeks after Hong Kong introduced a new national security law, life in the city appears unchanged. A 2020 law drew thousands of protesters to the streets when it was enacted. Now, that’s seen as too risky. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte, File)

FILE - A sign reading ‘IDEAS ARE BULLETPROOF’ is seen as visitors browse books on the last day of business of independent bookshop ‘Mount Zero’ in Hong Kong, Sunday, March 31, 2024. Two weeks after Hong Kong introduced a new national security law, life in the city appears unchanged. A 2020 law drew thousands of protesters to the streets when it was enacted. Now, that’s seen as too risky. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte, File)

FILE - People visit the International Immigration & Property expo in Hong Kong, Saturday, March 23, 2024. Two weeks after Hong Kong introduced a new national security law, life in the city appears unchanged. A 2020 law drew thousands of protesters to the streets when it was enacted. Now, that’s seen as too risky. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte, File)

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HONG KONG (AP) — On the surface, life in Hong Kong after a broad new national security law recently took effect appears unchanged.

A 2020 security law drew thousands of protesters to the streets when it was enacted. Now, that’s seen as too risky. This time, no arrests made headlines. There were no newsroom raids.

Instead, there’s a deeper, quieter wave of adaptation underway among Hong Kong residents who are living under the threat of more extensive restrictions after the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance took effect on March 23.

At an immigration expo during the law’s first two days, immigration consultant Ben Li’s booth was constantly busy, its small white tables all occupied. Inquiries about moving abroad jumped about 40% from last year’s expo. More than half of those asking cited the new ordinance, known locally as Article 23 , as a reason to consider emigration.

“The Article 23 legislation has brought a significant catalyzing effect,” Li said.

China promised to keep Hong Kong’s relative freedom and way of life unchanged for 50 years when Britain handed over control of its former colony to Communist-ruled Beijing in 1997. Those Western-style civil liberties, such as free speech and a free press, were the cornerstones of the city’s status as an international financial hub.

But since the 2020 law was imposed by Beijing after months of anti-government protests, they have been sharply curtailed. Many pro-democracy activists have been arrested, silenced or forced into exile. Dozens of civil society groups have been disbanded . Outspoken media like Apple Daily and Stand News have been shut down . And many disillusioned young professionals and middle-class families have emigrated to Britain, Canada and Taiwan.

Hong Kong’s Basic Law, or constitution, mandated that the city enact a national security law, but for 27 years the Legislative Council didn’t pass one, with widespread opposition to an earlier attempt to enact such a law in 2003. The Hong Kong government asserts the law is needed to prevent a recurrence of the tumultuous 2019 protests. It says the law balances national security with safeguarding freedoms.

Still, many fear falling afoul of the law — which targets colluding with “external forces” to endanger security, unlawful disclosure of state secrets, sabotage and espionage, among others. Grave acts such as treason and insurrection are punishable by up to life in prison. Some provisions allow criminal prosecution for acts committed anywhere in the world.

Facing those risks, some people have opted to play it safe.

An independent bookstore owner said it took about 30 books off the shelves, fearing it might be accused of distributing seditious publications. The titles were about the 2019 protests, Tibet and Xinjiang, all politically sensitive topics in mainland China. The books will be trashed.

The owner, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to fear of government retribution, said they removed the books because of the harsher provisions of the new law, which allows police to seek court approval to extend the detention of suspects without charges and prohibit suspects from consulting certain lawyers. The bookseller worried they would not have a fair trial if charged.

“It’s a pity,” the bookseller said. “This is an unnecessary infringement of freedom of speech.”

Under the law, sedition offenses carry a sentence of up to seven years, or 10 years if a person is convicted of working with foreign governments or organizations to carry out the activities. The government maintains that criticism intended to improve its policies will not be prosecuted, but there has been less leeway for public dissent since the 2020 law took effect.

The League of Social Democrats, one of Hong Kong’s few remaining pro-democracy parties, will be more careful about its publicity materials to avoid being considered seditious, said its chairwoman, Chan Po-ying.

“When things are uncertain, anyone would get worried,” she said.

John Burns, an honorary professor of politics and public administration at the University of Hong Kong, said residents are adopting coping strategies seen on mainland China, avoiding voicing opinions that might get them in trouble. But Hong Kong still has more space for dissent than the mainland, he said.

“So caution rules,” he said.

Days after the law took effect, the U.S.-funded news outlet Radio Free Asia announced it was closing its Hong Kong bureau because of safety concerns under the new legislation and pointed to criticism by authorities. It was yet another narrowing of the space for press freedom at a time when local journalists are struggling with how to adjust to potential new risks.

Ronson Chan, an editor at online media Channel C HK, is personally handling sensitive stories to minimize risks for his colleagues due to the wider scope of the law’s definition of state secrets. The defintion echoes the one used in mainland China, which covers economic, social and technological developments and criminal investigations, beyond traditional areas of national security.

The law also is also prompting adjustments in the legal and business communities.

Dominic Chiu, a senior analyst at the Eurasia Group, said some companies, including law firms, already had taken the precaution of restricting access for their Hong Kong staff to their global databases. That might not involve an “all-out ban,” but instead might require special approval to access foreign clients’ files, he said.

Those steps, taken even before the first draft of the new law was made public, were prompted by a belief that Hong Kong will eventually align its data security policies with those in mainland China. So the companies aligned their data policies with those of mainland China, Chiu said.

Banks and technology companies have not yet made plans to leave Hong Kong, said George Chen, Hong Kong-based managing director for The Asia Group, a Washington-headquartered business and policy consultancy. After all, many of them operate in other Chinese cities. But some companies are internally reviewing whether certain sensitive roles, such as those handling user data, should be moved elsewhere, he said.

In an emailed response to questions from The Associated Press, the government said it strongly condemned “all scaremongering and smearing remarks” about the law. It said other countries have similar laws and that the law just improves Hong Kong’s legal framework for safeguarding national security, thereby creating a more stable business environment.

“To single out Hong Kong and suggest that journalists and businesses would only experience concerns when operating here but not in other places would be grossly biased, if not outrageous,” it said.

Officials say the law only targets “an extremely small minority of people” who jeopardize security, similar to what mainland Chinese officials say about Beijing’s own expanding national security precautions.

George Chen would like to hear less about the topic.

“Hong Kong has been through a lot over the past few years and now we hear more and more clients telling us — can Hong Kong now move on?” Chen said. “Let’s talk less about national security every day but focus more on the real economy and business.”

Associated Press writer Zen Soo contributed to this report.

Wow: Cathay Pacific Still 40% Below 2019 Passenger Numbers

Global airline seat capacity in April is around 4% ahead of pre-pandemic April 2019, with schedule data showing 112.5 million seats available this year compared to 108.9 million in the same week of 2019. While that's a promising number globally, the same positivity is certainly not true with Hong Kong's Cathay Pacific, which carried 40% fewer passengers in March 2024 than in March 2019.

Starting from a long way behind

Without going over old ground, both Cathay Pacific (Cathay) and Hong Kong International Airport have endured a few horror years, starting in 2019 with political unrest disrupting the airport operations through the prolonged and severe travel restrictions imposed by China during the pandemic. Cathay is recovering, albeit from a shallow base, and in March, it carried 1.88 million passengers, a credible increase of 42.4% year-on-year (YoY) but 40% below the 3.11 million carried in March 2019.

On Friday, Cathay released its March 2024 traffic figures, which show comparisons only to 2023 performance. That showed March capacity as measured by available seat kilometers rose by 48.9% YoY, and demand as measured by revenue passenger kilometers rose by 38.1%, leading to a fall in the passenger load factor of 6.6 percentage points to 83.8%.

In the first three months of 2024, the number of passengers carried increased YoY by 55.7% to 5.40 million, although with capacity increasing by 56.4% and demand by 47.7%, the load factor fell by 4.9 percentage points to 83.0%. In the first three months of 2019, the Cathay Group, which included Cathay Dragon , carried 9.07 million passengers at a load factor of 84.0%.

Demand is building but slowly

Cathay said its travel business performed well in March, with healthy demand across its services both leading up to and including the Easter holiday period. Cathay Pacific Chief Customer and Commercial Officer Livinia Lau said student traffic from the United Kingdom was particularly strong ahead of Easter, and outbound and return traffic surged over the holidays. Lau added that demand for premium cabins to and from Hong Kong also remained strong.

"This was driven by the various exhibitions and trade shows that took place in the city in March, most notably the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show and Art Basel. We were also pleased to resume our direct flights between Bangkok and Singapore in March, which have been popular with customers."

Fleet data from ch-aviation highlights the gap between Cathay's pre-pandemic and current status. The data lists 187 aircraft in the Cathay fleet, with 154 shown as active and 33 inactive. With around 18% of aircraft not operating, the capacity is available to return to pre-COVID levels, but clearly, the demand is not.

The bulk of the passenger flying is done by 35 Airbus A330s and 45 A350s, with 45 Boeing 777-300s also on active duty. There are 20 freighters listed, including 14 Boeing 747-8Fs and six 747-400ERFs, with one of each shown as inactive. Cathay said that cargo demand was stronger in March, with tonnage up by 26% compared to the previous month and 11% year-on-year.

Lau is enthusiastic about the forthcoming Chinese mainland Labor Day Golden Week holiday period, during which Cathay is seeing a healthy increase in travel demand from the mainland to Hong Kong and regional destinations via the Hong Kong hub. To meet that demand, the carrier is adding around 200 round-trip flights per week to mainland China during the Golden Week celebrations.

Have you flown with Cathay Pacific in 2024? Let us know about it in the comments.

Cathay Pacific

IATA/ICAO Code: CX/CPA

Airline Type: Full Service Carrier

Hub(s): Hong Kong International Airport

Year Founded: 1946

Alliance: oneworld

CEO: Ronald Lam

Country: China (Special Administrative Region)

Region: Asia

Hong Kong International Airport

IATA/ICAO Code: HKG/VHHH

CEO: Fred Lam

Passenger Count : 1,196,000 (2021)

Runways : 07R/25L - 3,800m (12,467ft) |07L/25R - 3,800m (12,467ft)

Terminals: Terminal 1 |Terminal 2

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India’s Everest says its food products are safe after Hong Kong halts sale

HYDERABAD (Reuters) – Indian spice maker Everest Food Products said on Tuesday its products were safe, after authorities in Singapore asked an importer to detain one of them for inspection, following a sale ban in Hong Kong.

Only one of 60 Everest products had been held for examination, Rajiv Shah, a company director, told Reuters in a statement, adding they were safe, and there was no need for concern.

“Exports are cleared only after receiving necessary clearances and approval from the laboratories of the Spice Board of India,” he said.

In a notification this month, Singapore’s food safety authority asked domestic importers to recall and temporarily hold the item, fish curry masala.

The action came after a Hong Kong regulator ordered a sales ban on some Everest items, allegedly because they contained a cancer-causing pesticide.

(Reporting by Rishika Sadam in Hyderabad; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)

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Millions at risk of floods in China’s Guangdong province after heavy rain

Officials urge municipalities to begin emergency planning after major rivers and reservoirs threaten to overflow

Major rivers, waterways and reservoirs in China’s Guangdong province are threatening to unleash dangerous floods, forcing the government to enact emergency response plans to protect more than 127 million people.

Calling the situation “grim”, local weather officials said sections of rivers and tributaries at the Xijiang and Beijiang river basins are hitting water levels in a rare spike that only has a one-in-50 chance of happening in any given year, the state broadcaster CCTV news said on Sunday.

China’s water resource ministry issued an emergency advisory, CCTV reported.

Guangdong officials urged departments in all localities and municipalities to begin emergency planning to avert natural disasters and promptly disperse disaster relief funds and materials to ensure affected people have food, clothing, water and a place to live.

The province has experienced torrid downpours for several days and strong winds due to severe convective weather, which has affected several parts of China over the past few weeks.

A 12-hour stretch of heavy rain, starting from 8pm (1200 GMT) on Saturday, battered the central and northern parts of the province in cities of Zhaoqing, Shaoguan, Qingyuan and Jiangmen.

Almost 20,000 people have been evacuated in Qingyuan, according to state media, and some power facilities in Zhaoqing were damaged, cutting power to some places.

Officials in Qingyuan also suspended classes in kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, according to local media.

“Please look at Zhaoqing’s Huaiji county, which has become a water town. The elderly and children at the countryside don’t know what to do with power outages and no signal,” said one user on the popular social media site Weibo.

Raging muddy floodwaters swept one vehicle down a narrow street in Zhaoqing, showed a video released by Hongxing News.

“It rained like a waterfall for an hour and a half on the highway driving home last night,” said another Weibo user. “I couldn’t see the road at all.”

The authorities in Qingyuan and Shaoguan in Guangdong also suspended ships from travelling through several rivers, with maritime departments dispatching forces to be on duty, and coordinate the emergency tugboats and emergency rescue vessels.

Many hydrological stations in the province are exceeding water levels, weather officials warned, and in the provincial capital, Guangzhou, a city of 18 million, reservoirs have reached flood limits, city officials announced on Sunday.

Data showed 2,609 hydrological stations with daily rainfall greater than 50mm (1.97in), accounting for about 59% of all observation stations. At 8am on Sunday, 27 hydrological stations in Guangdong were on alert.

In neighbouring Guangxi, west of Guangdong, violent hurricane-like winds whipped the region, destroying buildings, state media video footage showed. Some places have also experienced hailstones and major flooding, CCTV said.

In another video, rescuers could be seen trying to save an elderly person clinging to a tree half-submerged in floodwaters.

As of 10am, 65 landslides were recorded in the city of Hezhou located in Guangxi, state media reported.

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