Hong Kong’s Immigration Department, in a joint sting with the Travel Industry Authority, has arrested two Mainland tourists who advertised paid tour-guide and photography services on social media. The covert operation, conducted on 5–6 October and disclosed on 7 October, involved officers posing as customers to book the illicit services. A 22-year-old man and a 43-year-old woman were detained at popular sightseeing spots and charged with breaching their conditions of stay. One defendant pleaded guilty at Sha Tin Magistrates’ Court and received a 54-day jail sentence. Officials distributed leaflets at tourist hotspots warning visitors and local businesses that any form of paid work – even cashed-in social-media “experiences” – requires a work visa approved by the Director of Immigration. Under last year’s tougher penalties, hiring an illegal worker now carries a maximum HK$500,000 fine and 10 years’ imprisonment, and company directors can be held personally liable. The crackdown is part of a broader campaign to protect Hong Kong’s post-pandemic tourism rebound from unlicensed operators that undercut accredited guides and compromise safety standards. The Travel Industry Authority said it routinely monitors Instagram, Xiaohongshu and Douyin for adverts targeting inbound visitors, and will request platform takedowns where necessary. Employers in the events and MICE sectors should remind overseas staff and freelancers that even short-term paid engagements – such as leading a photo walk or interpreting – require a proper employment visa or the city’s Business Visit endorsement. Human-resource teams may face prosecution if they facilitate payments to individuals on visitor status. Members of the public can report suspected cases on the dedicated hotline 185 185 or via the online immigration tip-off form.
