The US has issued an urgent travel warning after the Hong Kong government ushered in expanded national security laws that make it illegal to refuse to unlock electronic devices for authorities. Effective this week, any passengers — including US citizens — arriving or transiting through Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) can face immediate imprisonment for withholding passwords or obstructing access to their phones and laptops.
Direct service between the US and Hong Kong is primarily served by Cathay Pacific, with United Airlines currently the only US-based carrier flying nonstop to Hong Kong. However, Delta Air Lines is returning to the city in June with a daily flight from Los Angeles Airport (LAX). The new security laws could complicate travel on these services, while Hong Kong remains one of the world’s busiest transit hubs with tens of millions of annual transfer passengers.
US Travel Alert Over New Hong Kong Security Laws
On March 23, 2026, the Hong Kong government implemented new national security rules that require individuals to hand over their electronic devices and assist in unlocking them. Applicable to anyone suspected of being a national security threat, refusal to cooperate with authorities can result in up to one year in prison and a fine of over $12,500. Although the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has faced criticism for its own policy of checking arriving passengers’ devices, it is not a crime under US law to refuse to hand over a password. Travelers also face up to three years’ imprisonment and a fine of over $60,000 for “providing false or misleading information.”
The US Consulate General in Hong Kong & Macau issued a security alert this week, warning US travelers of the possible risks of visiting or transiting through Hong Kong. Notably, this law can be enforced on all passengers, even those passing through the airport without clearing customs. Police also have the authority to seize electronic devices and retain them as evidence. While it isn’t clear how widely these checks are being deployed on passengers, the US Consulate General of Hong Kong & Macau stated,
“It is now a criminal offense to refuse to give the Hong Kong police the passwords or decryption assistance to access all personal electronic devices including cellphones and laptops. This legal change applies to everyone, including U.S. citizens, in Hong Kong, arriving or just transiting Hong Kong International Airport.”
Credits: US
