Travel.State.Gov >
International Parental Child Abduction > Location Information > Hong Kong International Parental Child Abduction Information
Reissued Statement: There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated.
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution in mainland China and Hong Kong
Exercise increased caution in mainland China due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the use of exit bans without a fair and transparent process under the law, and the risk of unjust arrest or detention.
Level 3: Reconsider Travel to Macau
Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory.
Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution to Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR)
Exercise increased caution in Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
Exercise increased caution due to the arbitrary enforcement of local laws.
National security laws and restriction of civil liberties
Since 2020, Hong Kong SAR authorities have taken away many freedoms from people living there.
On June 30, 2020, China imposed the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR. On March 23, 2024, Hong Kong passed another similar law. Both laws list many crimes that are vaguely defined. The crimes include:
On March 23, 2026, the Hong Kong government changed the implementing rules relating to the Hong Kong National Security Law. It is now a criminal offense in national security cases to refuse to give the Hong Kong police passwords or not assist in decryption to allow authorities full access to all personal electronic devices, including cellphones and laptops.
This legal change applies to everyone, including U.S. citizens, in Hong Kong, upon arrival, or just transiting Hong Kong International Airport. In addition, the Hong Kong government also has more authority to take and keep any personal devices, as evidence, that they claim are linked to national security offenses.
China applies its national security laws to everyone in Hong Kong SAR, including foreigners. China may also attempt to apply these laws to people who do not live in Hong Kong – including U.S. citizens and permanent residents.
If you say anything critical about China or Hong Kong SAR, you could be arrested, detained, kicked out, or prosecuted.
Hong Kong SAR authorities have issued arrest warrants for people who live in other countries and are alleged to be violating these laws. This includes U.S. citizens and permanent residents living outside their jurisdiction. Hong Kong SAR authorities are offering cash rewards to anyone who gives information that helps them arrest these people if they come to Hong Kong SAR.
Dual nationality
The Hong Kong SAR government does not recognize dual nationality. Dual U.S.-Chinese citizens and U.S. citizens of Chinese descent may be subject to additional security procedures and harassment. If you are a dual U.S.-Chinese citizen and enter Hong Kong SAR on a U.S. passport, and you are detained or arrested, Chinese authorities must notify the U.S. Embassy or a U.S. Consulate General of your detention. They must allow U.S. consular officials to have access to you.
Even if you enter on a U.S. passport, U.S. consular officers may not have access to you. For more information, visit Consular Protection and Right of Abode in HK(SAR) for Dual Nationals – U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong & Macau.
Demonstrations
Participating in demonstrations or other activities that authorities interpret as constituting an act of secession, subversion, terrorism, or collusion with a foreign country could result in criminal charges under the 2020 Hong Kong National Security Law, the 2024 Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, or other legal provisions. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid demonstrations.
If you decide to travel to the Hong Kong SAR:
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]
The 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction (Hague Abduction Convention) has applied between the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) and the United States since September 1, 1997.
For information concerning travel to Hong Kong, including information about the location of the U.S. Consulate General, the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, entry/exit requirements, safety and security, crime, medical facilities and health information, traffic safety, road conditions and aviation safety, please see country-specific information for Hong Kong.
The U.S. Department of State reports statistics and compliance information for individual countries in the Annual Report on International Child Abduction. The report is located here.
The U.S. Department of State serves as the U.S. Central Authority (USCA) for the Hague Abduction Convention. In this capacity, the Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs, Directorate for Overseas Citizens Services, Office of Children’s Issues facilitates the submission of applications under the Hague Abduction Convention for the return of, or access to, children, including applications concerning the Hong Kong SAR. Parents are strongly encouraged to contact the Department of State for assistance prior to initiating the Hague process directly with the foreign Central Authority (FCA).
Contact information:
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Office of Children’s Issues
CA/OCS/CI
SA-17, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20522-1709
Telephone: 1-888-407-4747
Outside the United States or Canada: 1-202-501-4444
Fax: 202-736-9132
Website
The Hong Kong SAR Central Authority for the Hague Abduction Convention is the Secretary for Justice, International Law Division. The Hong Kong Central Authority reviews all incoming applications, files applications with the court, monitors the case from beginning to end, updates the requesting Central Authority on the progress of the case, and provides other assistance as appropriate, including involving law enforcement or social workers. The Central Authority does not represent a parent in the court proceedings.
The Hong Kong Central Authority can be reached at:
Central Authority of Hong Kong
(The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction)
c/o International Law Division
(Mutual Legal Assistance Unit)
Department of Justice
47/F, High Block
Queensway Government Offices
66 Queensway, Hong Kong
Telephone Number: (852) 2867 2062
Fax Number: (852)2523 7959 or (852) 2877 9585
Email: [email protected]
To initiate a Hague case for return of, or access to, a child in Hong Kong, the left-behind parent or the Central Authority of the left-behind parent’s country must submit a Hague application to the Hong Kong Central Authority. The USCA is available to answer questions about the Hague application process, to forward a completed application to the Hong Kong Central Authority, and to subsequently monitor its progress through the foreign administrative and legal processes.
There are not fees for filing Hague applications with either the United States or Hong Kong central authorities. Attorney fees in Hong Kong can vary depending upon an attorney’s experience and reputation. Additional costs may include airplane tickets for court appearances and for the return of the child, if so ordered.
A parent or legal guardian may file an application under the Hague Abduction Convention for return to the United States of a child abducted to, or wrongfully retained in Hong Kong. The U.S. Department of State can assist parents living in the United States to understand whether the Convention is an available civil remedy and can provide information on the process for submitting a Hague application.
A person may file an application under the Hague Abduction Convention for access to a child living in Hong Kong. The U.S. Department of State can assist parents living in the United States to understand country-specific criteria and provide information on the process for submitting a Hague application.
Retaining a private attorney is not required to submit Hague Convention applications to the Hong Kong Central Authority. However, parents may wish to hire a private attorney to follow up on the case, to provide direct information to the court, and to advise as to the best course of action for their individual circumstances. A parent may be able to retain a private attorney through legal aid if the parent satisfies the merit and means tests set by the Legal Aid Department. If a parent wishes to apply for legal aid, the Hong Kong Central Authority will provide that parent direct contact information for legal aid. Parents may represent themselves if they choose not to have a private attorney.
The U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong, posts list of attorneys including those who specialize in family law at.
This list is provided as a courtesy service only and does not constitute an endorsement of any individual attorney. The Department of State assumes no responsibility or liability for the professional ability or reputation of, or the quality of services provided by, the persons or firms included in this list. Professional credentials and areas of expertise are provided directly by the lawyers.
The Hong Kong Central Authority strongly recommends that parents reach an amicable settlement for the voluntary return of the child through mediation. Mediation services are available through the Social Welfare Department or via accrediting bodies such as the Hong Kong Family Welfare Society, Integrated Family Services Centre, and International Social Services (Hong Kong Branch).
While travelling in a foreign country, you are subject to the laws of that country. It is important for parents to understand that, although a left-behind parent in the United States may have custody or visitation rights pursuant to a U.S. custody order, that order may not be valid and enforceable in the country in which the child is located. For this reason, we strongly encourage you to speak to a local attorney if planning to remove a child from a foreign country without the consent of the other parent. Attempts to remove your child to the United States may:
The U.S. government cannot interfere with another country’s court or law enforcement system.
To understand the legal effect of a U.S. order in a foreign country, a parent should consult with a local attorney in the country in which the child is located.
For information about hiring an attorney abroad, see our section on Retaining a Foreign Attorney.
Although we cannot recommend an attorney to you, most U.S. Embassies have lists of attorneys available online. Please visit the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for a full listing.
For more information on consular assistance for U.S. citizens arrested abroad, please see our website.
Country officers are available to speak with you Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. For assistance with an abduction in progress or any emergency situation that occurs after normal business hours, on weekends, or federal holidays, please call toll free at 1-888-407-4747. See all contact information.
DISCLAIMER: The information in this flyer is provided for general information only, is not intended to be legal advice, and may change without notice. Questions involving interpretation of law should be addressed to an attorney licensed in the relevant jurisdiction.
You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.
Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.
You are about to visit: