Carrying ID around Hong Kong 2025

Question

Hello everyone, I’ve heard that all foreigners who goes to Hong Kong for vacation must carry Passport around with you? I’m planing to go to Hong Kong end of the year and I’m feeling uncomfortable carrying passport around the city, I’ve heard stories that there lot of pickpockets going around, surely Driving licence with a photo to put in your wallet in your pocket is safer enough then carry passport around.

I would be happier to keep my passport in the safe in the hotel than carry it.

Can anyone tell me if it true or not, any message would be appreciated.

Cheers Ray

Answer

In Hong Kong, there is no legal requirement for tourists to carry their passport at all times while sightseeing. However, it is important to have valid identification available if requested by authorities, for example, in situations like police checks, banking, or other official matters. For most everyday tourist activities, carrying a photocopy of your passport along with another form of ID is usually sufficient.

Here’s some detailed advice for staying safe while keeping ID accessible:

Keep your passport in the hotel safe: For convenience and safety, it is common for travelers to leave their passport in the hotel safe and carry only a photocopy of the passport or a scan on your phone.
Carry a secondary photo ID: A driving license, national ID card, or another form of photo ID can be carried for identification purposes during daily activities. Most places will accept this for informal ID verification.
Be cautious with pickpockets: Hong Kong is relatively safe, but crowded tourist areas such as markets, MTR stations, and buses can have pickpockets. Use a secure, preferably zipped, pocket or money belt for your ID and cash.
Use digital copies: Keeping a digital copy of your passport and ID on your phone (secured with a password) can be very helpful in case of emergencies.

Additional tips:

For airport transfers and immigration, you will need your actual passport, so plan to carry it only for those times.
Hotels often provide a safe deposit box for passports and important documents—this is the safest option.
Only carry the minimum amount of cash and a credit/debit card for convenience and safety.

In summary, it is perfectly acceptable to leave your passport in the hotel safe while carrying a driving license or photocopy for daily identification. Just ensure you have your actual passport when required for official purposes.

Carrying ID around Hong Kong 2025

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