The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) on 23 September updated its travel advice for Hong Kong, reiterating that the territory “does not recognise dual nationality” and warning that BN(O) passports are not accepted as valid travel documents by local authorities. The notice emphasises heightened enforcement of the National Security Law (NSL) and cautions that participation in unauthorised protests or online criticism of the government could lead to detention and travel restrictions. While the overall advisory level remains at “exercise a high degree of caution”, the FCDO now explicitly tells travellers to avoid wearing or carrying items that may be interpreted as political slogans, and to review corporate social-media policies that reference Hong Kong or mainland China. Business travellers should note that devices may be searched at the airport, and data stored in cloud accounts can be requested under NSL provisions. Companies sending staff to Hong Kong are advised to conduct updated risk assessments, provide legal briefings and establish emergency contact protocols with the British Consulate-General. The update comes two weeks after a Hong Kong court sentenced a British national to six months for “seditious publications”, underlining the advisory’s warning. Similar notices have been issued this year by Australia, Canada and Germany, reflecting global concern about the extraterritorial reach of the NSL. Despite the political climate, the FCDO stresses that most visits remain trouble-free; 350 000 British nationals travelled to Hong Kong in 2025 with few incidents reported.
