U.S. State Department: Hong Kong at Level 2 'Exercise Increased Caution'
The U.S. Department of State rates Hong Kong SAR as Level 2 'Exercise Increased Caution' due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws. Laws passed by Hong Kong authorities limit civil liberties and apply to anyone in Hong Kong, including foreigners, and arrest warrants have been issued for individuals outside Hong Kong, including U.S. citizens. On March 23, 2026, the Hong Kong government changed the implementing rules of the National Security Law, making it a criminal offense in national security cases to refuse to give police passwords or assist in decryption to allow full access to personal electronic devices, including phones and laptops; this applies to everyone in Hong Kong, on arrival,…
Impact and considerations
The change to the National Security Law's implementing rules criminalizes refusing device passwords or decryption assistance, directly affecting device-management and data-compliance policies for business travelers to or transiting Hong Kong. Overseas arrest warrants and dual-nationality risks also affect staff deploy…
Key points
- The U.S. Department of State rates Hong Kong SAR as Level 2 'Exercise Increased Caution' due to arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
- Laws passed by Hong Kong authorities limit civil liberties, apply to anyone in Hong Kong including foreigners, and arrest warrants have been issued for individuals overseas.
- On March 23, 2026, the Hong Kong government changed the National Security Law's implementing rules, making it a criminal offense to refuse passwords or decryption assistance.
- The rule applies to everyone in Hong Kong, on arrival, or transiting Hong Kong International Airport, covering personal electronic devices such as phones and laptops.
- The Hong Kong SAR government does not recognize dual nationality, and dual U.S.-Chinese citizens and U.S. citizens of Chinese descent may face additional security procedures.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- U.S. Department of State
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 4 Sept 2026, 08:00
- Page published
- 17 Sept 2026, 23:58
- Last updated
- 4 Sept 2026, 08:00
- Original links
- US Travel Advisories：Hong Kong - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (opens in a new tab)Primary source · en · Published 4 Sept 2026, 08:00