Hong Kong

There is no public sex offender register. A police-run Sexual Conviction Record Check lets employers in work with children or mentally incapacitated persons confirm, with the applicant's consent, whether a Hong Kong sexual conviction exists. Visitors need an immigration officer's permission to land, and an immigration officer may refuse it (Immigration Ordinance s. 11(1)). The Ordinance sets no list of offences that bar entry; refusal is discretionary.

Full profile · Last verified: October 27, 2026 · All countries

Each statement is labelled Law (statute, regulation or court ruling), Policy (official guidance) or Reported practice (what officials report doing). Items marked Recheck could not be fully confirmed from a primary source.

The country's own registry

Finding No published rule found as of October 27, 2026. No public sex offender register was found.
Policy The Hong Kong Police Force has run the Sexual Conviction Record Check (SCRC) Scheme since 1 December 2011. It covers people applying for work involving children or mentally incapacitated persons, was extended to prospective self-employed persons on 16 December 2024 and to volunteers from 15 December 2025.
Source: Hong Kong Police Force: Sexual Conviction Record Check (SCRC) Scheme
Policy The police describe the scheme as voluntary. An employer learns only whether the applicant has or does not have a record, through a telephone system using a code the applicant provides; details of the conviction are not disclosed.
Source: Hong Kong Police Force: Sexual Conviction Record Check, Frequently Asked Questions
Policy The SCRC does not cover sexual convictions from outside Hong Kong. The police suggest employers ask such applicants for a certificate of no criminal conviction from their place of residence.
Source: Hong Kong Police Force: Sexual Conviction Record Check, Frequently Asked Questions

Entry and admissibility

Law A person without the right of abode or right to land may not land without permission. An immigration officer or immigration assistant may give permission to land, but only an immigration officer may refuse it (Immigration Ordinance, ss. 7(1) and 11(1)).
Source: Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115), s. 7 (general provision as to immigration control); Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115), s. 11 (permission to land and conditions of stay)
Policy The Ordinance contains no list of criminal convictions that bar entry. The Immigration Department states that meeting all requirements does not guarantee entry and that it has "the right to refuse any person permission to land" other than Hong Kong residents and holders of the listed Hong Kong documents.
Source: Hong Kong Immigration Department: Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the HKSAR
Policy The U.S. State Department notes that U.S. citizens may be subject to arbitrary enforcement of local laws, including exit bans.
Source: U.S. Department of State: Hong Kong International Travel Information
Recheck: travel.state.gov returned 403 to the build network; the text was read from a Wayback Machine copy dated 9 July 2026 (page last updated 21 January 2025). Confirm against the live page.

Visa / travel authorisation

Policy Holders of ordinary U.S. passports may visit visa-free for 90 days. U.S. diplomatic passport holders need a visa. The Department states the list was updated in August 2026 and may change.
Source: Hong Kong Immigration Department: Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the HKSAR
Policy Visitors must have adequate funds for their stay without working and, unless travelling on to the mainland or Macao, onward or return tickets. Visitors may not work (paid or unpaid), do business or study.
Source: Hong Kong Immigration Department: Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the HKSAR
Policy The State Department lists passport validity of one month beyond the intended stay and says a visa is needed only for stays over 90 days, or to work or study.
Source: U.S. Department of State: Hong Kong International Travel Information
Recheck: Read from a Wayback Machine copy dated 9 July 2026 because travel.state.gov returned 403; confirm against the live page.

Registration or reporting after arrival

Finding No published rule found as of October 27, 2026. No rule requiring foreign sex offenders to register or report after arrival was found.
Law Non-exempt persons must report to a registration officer and apply for a Hong Kong identity card within 30 days of entering (Registration of Persons Regulations, reg. 3(1)). Visitors permitted to stay 180 days or less, transit passengers and children under 11 are exempt (reg. 25).
Source: Registration of Persons Regulations (Cap. 177A), reg. 3 (duty to register and apply for an identity card); Registration of Persons Regulations (Cap. 177A), reg. 25 (exemptions)

Residency, employment and housing

Policy A person who is not a resident needs a visa or entry permit to work, study, do business or take up residence. Visitors may not change their status after arrival except in "the most unusual circumstances".
Source: Hong Kong Immigration Department: Visit Visa / Entry Permit Requirements for the HKSAR
Policy Under the General Employment Policy, a work visa may be favourably considered only if "there is no security objection and no known record of serious crime". Applicants must also meet normal immigration requirements, including being "of clear criminal record".
Source: Hong Kong Immigration Department: General Employment Policy (GEP)
Policy Employers hiring for work with children or mentally incapacitated persons may require a Sexual Conviction Record Check; for applicants from outside Hong Kong, the police suggest a certificate of no criminal conviction from the place of residence.
Source: Hong Kong Police Force: Sexual Conviction Record Check, Frequently Asked Questions

Removal, rehabilitation or waivers

Law The Chief Executive may make a deportation order against an immigrant found guilty in Hong Kong of an offence punishable with at least 2 years' imprisonment, or where deportation is deemed "conducive to the public good" (Immigration Ordinance, s. 20(1)).
Source: Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115), s. 20 (power to deport)
Law A deportation order prohibits the person from being in Hong Kong "at any time thereafter or during such period as may be specified in the order" (s. 20(5)). The Chief Executive may suspend a deportation order on conditions (s. 54).
Source: Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115), s. 20 (power to deport); Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115), s. 54 (suspension of deportation orders)
Law A removal order may be made by the Chief Executive against an "undesirable immigrant" not ordinarily resident for 3 years or more, or by the Director of Immigration for unlawful landing or breach of a condition of stay (s. 19(1)). An appeal to the Tribunal must be lodged within 24 hours of notice (s. 19(5)).
Source: Immigration Ordinance (Cap. 115), s. 19 (power to order removal)

What U.S. rules still apply

Law U.S. law still applies to the trip itself: registrants must report international travel at least 21 days in advance, and the U.S. may notify the destination country before arrival. See the U.S. travel guide for the notice rule, the passport identifier and how notifications work.
Source: ComplianceAtlas: Traveling Abroad as a U.S. Registrant

Read Traveling Abroad as a U.S. Registrant before booking.

Sources

Legal Disclaimer

International laws, immigration policies, and registry requirements change frequently and may vary depending on citizenship, visa type, offense history, and purpose of travel. Entry decisions are made solely by each country's immigration authorities. Always verify current requirements using official government sources before traveling. This page is not legal advice.