The United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has revised its travel guidance for Hong Kong, warning that British citizens who also hold Chinese nationality or Hong Kong permanent resident status might be denied UK consular assistance if detained under local laws. The notice, posted on 14 December, reflects growing concern that Beijing’s nationality-recognition policies, coupled with Hong Kong’s National Security Law, limit the ability of foreign missions to intervene on behalf of dual citizens.
While the FCDO stopped short of advising against travel, it urges dual nationals to ‘carefully consider the risks of travel to Hong Kong’ and to register with the UK Consulate-General before arrival. Similar language already applies to mainland China, but this is the first time the Hong Kong page has carried such explicit wording since 2020.
Travel managers who want an independent, continually updated view of entry requirements can also consult VisaHQ, which aggregates official notices and offers digital visa and passport services for individuals and enterprise mobility teams alike; the dedicated Hong Kong portal is available at https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/.
![UK updates Hong Kong travel advice: dual nationals may not receive consular help]()
For multinational employers, the change has practical mobility implications: • British Nationals (Overseas) passport holders who have retained their Chinese nationality are particularly exposed. • Emergency-evacuation insurance policies should be reviewed to confirm coverage in scenarios where consular access is restricted. • Assignment contracts may need updated security briefings and contingency clauses covering legal assistance and family relocation.
Immigration lawyers note that the advisory does not affect visa-free entry for British citizens (up to 180 days) or BN(O) passport holders (90 days), but it could slow BN(O) passport renewals if demand spikes. Companies are advised to remind travelling staff to carry only one passport when entering or leaving Hong Kong to minimise questions at immigration.
The FCDO said it would ‘continue to raise consular-access issues with the Hong Kong authorities’ but acknowledged that China does not recognise dual nationality for Chinese nationals—a position that Hong Kong officials have reiterated applies within the territory.
While the FCDO stopped short of advising against travel, it urges dual nationals to ‘carefully consider the risks of travel to Hong Kong’ and to register with the UK Consulate-General before arrival. Similar language already applies to mainland China, but this is the first time the Hong Kong page has carried such explicit wording since 2020.
Travel managers who want an independent, continually updated view of entry requirements can also consult VisaHQ, which aggregates official notices and offers digital visa and passport services for individuals and enterprise mobility teams alike; the dedicated Hong Kong portal is available at https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/.
For multinational employers, the change has practical mobility implications: • British Nationals (Overseas) passport holders who have retained their Chinese nationality are particularly exposed. • Emergency-evacuation insurance policies should be reviewed to confirm coverage in scenarios where consular access is restricted. • Assignment contracts may need updated security briefings and contingency clauses covering legal assistance and family relocation.
Immigration lawyers note that the advisory does not affect visa-free entry for British citizens (up to 180 days) or BN(O) passport holders (90 days), but it could slow BN(O) passport renewals if demand spikes. Companies are advised to remind travelling staff to carry only one passport when entering or leaving Hong Kong to minimise questions at immigration.
The FCDO said it would ‘continue to raise consular-access issues with the Hong Kong authorities’ but acknowledged that China does not recognise dual nationality for Chinese nationals—a position that Hong Kong officials have reiterated applies within the territory.
