Hong Kong - Consular Information Sheet
September 14, 1999
DESCRIPTION: Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the Peoples
Republic of China since July 1, 1997, continues to enjoy a high degree of autonomy, except
in the areas of defense and foreign policy, and retains its own currency, laws, and border
controls. It is composed of three geographic areas: the New Territories, Kowloon
Peninsula, and Hong Kong Island. Hong Kong SAR is cosmopolitan and highly developed.
Tourist facilities and services are widely available.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Passports and evidence of onward/return transportation by
sea/air are required. A visa is not required for tourist visits by U.S. citizens of up to
90 days. An extension of stay may be granted upon application to the Hong Kong SAR
Immigration Department. U.S. citizens must have passports with at least four months��
validity for entry into Hong Kong. A departure tax of 50 Hong Kong dollars (approximately
$6.50 in U.S. dollars) must be paid at the airport. Visas are required to work or study.
Public transportation from Hong Kong's International Airport at Chek Lap Kok to Central
Hong Kong (about 25 miles) is readily available, as are taxis. Travelers should exchange
sufficient money for transportation at the airport exchange facility located immediately
outside the baggage claim area. For more current information, travelers can consult the
Hong Kong SAR Immigration Department, Immigration Tower, 7 Gloucester Road, Wanchai, Hong
Kong (Tel: (852) 2829-3001, Fax: (852) 2824-1133, Internet home page: http://www.info.gov.hk/immd/, or the Embassy of
the People's Republic of China, 2300 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington D.C. 20008,
tel.: (202) 328-2500 or the Chinese consulates general in Los Angeles, San Francisco,
Chicago, New York City, and Houston. Overseas inquires may be made at the nearest Chinese
embassy or consulate.
CONSULAR PROTECTION IN HONG KONG SAR AND DUAL NATIONALITY:
Under Chinese nationality law, persons who are of Chinese descent and who were born in the mainland of China or Hong Kong are Chinese citizens. However, under an agreement between the United States and the People's Republic of China, all U.S. citizens entering Hong Kong on their U.S. passports, including such persons who may be considered Chinese nationals by the Chinese authorities, are considered U.S. citizens by the Hong Kong SAR authorities for purposes of ensuring consular access and protection for the period covered by their visa or lawful visa-free entry (90 days).
Dual nationals as described above who are, or previously were, Hong Kong residents who wish to ensure U.S. consular access and protection after the initial 90-day period of admission must declare their U.S. nationality by presenting their U.S. passports and completing an application for declaration of change of nationality with the Hong Kong Immigration Department. This declaration will ensure U.S. consular protection and will also result in loss of one's Chinese nationality (but not necessarily one's right of abode).
Note: Whereas the 1997 agreement between the United States and the People's Republic of China holds that a U.S. citizen's failure to declare U.S. nationality after the initial 90-day period of admission may jeopardize U.S. consular protection, such failure will not jeopardize the U.S. citizenship itself. Dual national residents of Hong Kong who enter Hong Kong on their Hong Kong identity cards rather than their U.S. passports and who desire to guarantee U.S. consular protection should declare their U.S. nationality to the Hong Kong Immigration Department as soon after entry as possible.
Further information on consular protection can be obtained from the Bureau of Consular
Affairs of the Department of State at 2201 C Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20520, or call
(202) 647-6769 or (202) 647-5226, or the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong SAR at (852)
2841-2211. Information on the right of abode in Hong Kong may be obtained from the Hong
Kong Immigration Department at tel: (852) 2824-4055, fax: (852) 2598-8388, or via the
Internet: http://www.info.gov.hk/immd/, or via
e-mail: [email protected].
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Good medical facilities are available, and there are many
western-trained physicians. Doctors and hospitals generally do not accept credit cards and
require immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is generally
not valid outside the United States. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide
payment for medical services outside the United States.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: Serious medical problems requiring hospitalization and/or medical evacuation to the United States can cost from 10,000 to 100,000 U.S. dollars. Supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas coverage including provision for medical evacuation may prove useful. Check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, and whether it includes a provision for medical evacuation. Ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas hospital or doctor, or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death. Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad, available on the Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov/medical.html and via our autofax service at (202) 647-3000.
For additional health information, travelers may call the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention's international travelers hotline at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747), use
the CDC autofax service at 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or access the CDC home page on
the Internet at http://www.cdc.gov.
INFORMATION ON CRIME: Hong Kong SAR has a low crime rate. Petty crime such as
pickpocketing is common, however, and occurs mainly at the airport and tourist shopping
areas. Bags and other personal items left unattended at the airport or in crowded
restaurants are likely to be taken. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be
reported immediately to the local police and to the U.S. Consulate General. Useful
information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad
is provided in the Department of State pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad, which is
available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs,
or via the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs�� home page at http://travel.state.gov.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens are subject to that
country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the
United States and do not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S.
law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for
similar offenses. Persons violating the law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested,
or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, and trafficking in illegal drugs are strict,
and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines.
U.S. CUSTOMS RESTRICTIONS: Visitors to Hong Kong should be aware that the
importation into the United States of counterfeit brand-name items such as watches,
compact discs, computer software, and clothing is prohibited by U.S. law. Customs
officials encourage 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. ATA Carnet Headquarters, located at the U.S. Council
for International Business, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, issues and
guarantees the ATA Carnet in the United States. For additional information call (212)
354-4480, send an e-mail to [email protected] or visit http://www.uscib.org
for details.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has
assessed the Civil Aviation Authority of Hong Kong SAR as Category 1 - in compliance with
international aviation safety standards for oversight of Hong Kong's air carrier
operations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of
Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/index.htm.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for
suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD
policy on Specific carriers, travelers may contact DOD at 618-256-4801.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: Traffic moves on the left in Hong Kong, where it is congested almost everywhere during the daytime. Roads in many areas of Hong Kong Island are narrow and often poorly marked. At the scene of a traffic accident, drivers are required to go through a simple test for possible influence of alcohol. Taxis, buses, and the Metro (subway) are readily available, relatively inexpensive, and generally safe.
QUARANTINE FOR PETS: Dogs and cats may be admitted without spending time in quarantine if there are valid health (vaccination) certificates, and if the pet, when coming from the United States, has been in the U.S. for at least six months. Information on quarantine for pets can be obtained from the Livestock Import Control Office of the Hong Kong Agriculture and Fisheries Department at tel: (852) 2733-2142, fax: (852) 2375-3563, or via the Internet: http://www.info.gov.hk/afd.
CHILDREN's ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children,
international parental child abduction, and international child support enforcement
issues, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html
or telephone (202) 736-7000.
Y2K INFORMATION: As a consequence of the so-called Y2K "bug," on or about January 1, 2000, some automated systems throughout the world may experience problems, including unpredictable system malfunctions. In countries that are not prepared, the Y2K problem could affect financial services, utilities, health services, telecommunications, energy, transportation and other vital services. American citizens who are traveling to any country during this time period should be aware of the potential for the disruption of normal medical services. Travelers with special medical needs should consult with their personal physician and take appropriate precautions. While travelers do not necessarily need to alter their travel plans, being informed and prepared for possible disruptions is prudent.
Hong Kong is heavily reliant on computerized systems and is working with the international community to minimize any impact as a result of the Y2K computer problem. Hong Kong's leadership awareness of Y2K issues is high across the board. Local authorities started Hong Kong's Y2K remediation program early. The government of Hong Kong maintains a web site that is updated regularly, showing the Y2K progress in key sectors of Hong Kong's economy. Hong Kong is highly information-technology-intensive and heavily dependent on systems supporting banking and finance, shipping, port management, and international trade.
Hong Kong appears to be well prepared to deal with the Y2K problem, and it appears there is a low risk of potential Y2K disruptions in key sectors. Nevertheless, U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in Hong Kong in late 1999 or early 2000 should be aware of potential difficulties.
It is difficult to predict the severity or duration of Y2K-related disruptions. U.S.
citizens in Hong Kong should take practical precautions, anticipate the potential for
disruption to their daily activities, and be prepared to cope with the impact of such
disruptions. Information about personal preparedness and Y2K is available in the
Department of State worldwide Public Announcement of July 26, 1999, which is accessible on
the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs�� home page at http://travel.state.gov/y2kca.html.
Aviation and Y2K: The U.S. Department of Transportation is heading an international Year 2000 civil aviation evaluation process to review information on Y2K readiness in aviation based on reports to the International Civil Aviation Organization and other available sources. The Federal Aviation Administration is working with the industry and its international partners to encourage sharing of Y2K readiness and contingency planning information so that air carriers will be able to make appropriate decisions. Consult your airline about contingency plans in the event of unforeseen Y2K-related delays, cancellations, or disruptions. See the Department of Transportation Y2K home page at http://www.dot.gov/fly2k for updated information on Y2K and aviation issues.
As January 1, 2000 draws nearer we will provide updated information about Y2K issues in Hong Kong on the Consular Affairs�� home page at http://travel.state.gov/y2kca.html. In addition, monitor the home page of the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong at http://www.usconsulate.org.hk for additional updates.
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REGISTRATION INFORMATION / LOCATION OF THE AMERICAN CONSULATE GENERAL: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register at the U.S. Consulate General and obtain updated information on travel and security conditions within the Hong Kong SAR. The U.S. Consulate General is located at 26 Garden Road, Central, Hong Kong. The mailing address is PSC 464, Box 30, FPO AP 96522-0002; tel.: (852) 2523-9011, fax (852) 2845-4845; Internet: http://www.usconsulate.org.hk.
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This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated October 30, 1998, to include country specific Y2K and Children's Issues information and to update sections listed under paragraph headings: Entry Requirements, Consular Protection in Hong Kong SAR and Dual Nationality, Medical Facilities, and Information on Crime.