📍 Vancouver, BC — With Hong Kong’s increasing integration into mainland China’s legal and political framework, the question of whether individuals can legally change their identity and obtain a second passport has become critical.
Amid heightened scrutiny, travel restrictions, and the erosion of dual nationality recognition, many Hong Kong residents and foreign nationals with ties to the city are exploring pathways to secure a second passport legally — and in some cases, a new identity.
Amicus International Consulting, a global leader in identity transformation, second citizenships, and privacy consulting, addresses the legality, risks, and global alternatives related to identity change and dual citizenship for Hong Kong citizens.
The Reality: Identity Change Is Highly Restricted Under Chinese Rule
Since enacting the Hong Kong National Security Law in 2020, the territory has operated under increasingly restrictive legal conditions. While Hong Kong once maintained relative autonomy under the “one country, two systems” policy, that distinction has eroded.
In 2021, the UK Foreign Office issued a stark warning: China no longer recognizes dual nationality, even in Hong Kong. This means that Hong Kong authorities may treat dual nationals as Chinese citizens only, regardless of their foreign passports.
In practice, changing your identity in Hong Kong — legally changing your name, birth details, or nationality — is bound tightly by Chinese law. There are limited provisions for name changes through Hong Kong’s Immigration Department, but these do not amount to a complete identity change.
Further, individuals with political or legal issues in Hong Kong face intense surveillance, passport control, and extradition risks when travelling abroad.
Does Hong Kong Allow Dual Nationality or Second Passports?
Technically, China does not recognize dual nationality, and since 1997, Hong Kong has followed this policy more strictly. While many Hong Kong citizens possess dual passports, especially British National (Overseas) passports (BN(O)), the Hong Kong government does not legally recognize foreign citizenship once Chinese nationality is established.
This is critical: holding a second passport is not criminalized, but local authorities do not acknowledge it. That distinction has significant implications. For example, consular support from a second country may not be honoured if the person is treated solely as a Chinese national.
Legal Pathways to a Second Passport Outside of Hong Kong
Given these constraints, many individuals in Hong Kong, particularly those involved in activism, finance, or journalism, seek second passports through legal programs in countries that offer Citizenship by Investment (CBI) or citizenship through descent or naturalization.
Amicus International Consulting helps individuals legally obtain a second passport through the following methods:
- Citizenship by Investment (CBI) in countries such as St. Kitts & Nevis, Grenada, Antigua, and Dominica.
- Ancestry-based citizenship, especially in European countries like Ireland, Italy, and Poland.
- Long-term residency-to-citizenship programs in Paraguay, Panama, or Turkey.
- Naturalization in countries with fast-track policies for skilled migrants or investors.
Each option complies with international law and can be pursued without violating Hong Kong or Chinese statutes, provided the person entirely renounces Chinese nationality, if necessary.
The Need for Identity Change: When Is It Legal and When Is It Necessary?
In some cases, obtaining a second passport alone is not enough. A new legal identity may be necessary for individuals under surveillance, facing political prosecution, or wanting a complete break from their past. However, Hong Kong does not have a legal mechanism for complete identity reassignment beyond limited name changes.
Amicus International offers confidential identity transformation programs for at-risk individuals that fully comply with host countries’ laws where identity changes and privacy protection are allowed.
CASE STUDIES
Case Study 1: The Journalist Turned Exile
A Hong Kong-based journalist who wrote extensively about the pro-democracy protests in 2019 faced increasing pressure and travel restrictions. After being detained temporarily and blacklisted from travel, he approached Amicus International.
By leveraging his ancestral ties to Portugal and legal residence in Panama, he successfully renounced his Chinese nationality and obtained a Portuguese passport. Today, he lives in Lisbon under a new legal identity, continues his journalistic work, and has regained his freedom of movement.
Case Study 2: The Tech Executive With Business Interests Abroad
A tech entrepreneur from Hong Kong, whose business extended to Taiwan and Southeast Asia, grew concerned over increasing compliance pressures and banking surveillance. Through Amicus, he pursued Grenadian citizenship via investment.
As Grenada allows visa-free access to China, he retained business access while protecting his family’s future outside of Hong Kong. He also legally changed his name during citizenship, avoiding entanglements in local asset disclosures.
Case Study 3: The Activist on the Run
One prominent Hong Kong activist, whose peers were being arrested and jailed, went underground and fled via a maritime route to Taiwan. With no access to Hong Kong identity services and fearing extradition under the One China Policy, she obtained citizenship in a Caribbean country using an Amicus-administered legal identity change program. Today, she lives anonymously, with complete consular protection and renewed safety.
The Risks of Remaining Visible in Hong Kong
Remaining in Hong Kong or trying to change one’s identity within its borders carries an increasing risk. The government has:
- Criminalized unauthorized contact with foreign entities.
- Used exit bans and passport seizures to limit travel.
- Monitored online activity and international remittances.
- Placed bounties on political activists and former legislators abroad.
For many, this is not just about financial freedom but survival.
Amicus International’s Role: Legal, Ethical, Confidential
Amicus International Consulting specializes in high-risk identity transitions, offering:
- Legal identity and name changes in cooperative jurisdictions.
- Second passport acquisition through legitimate investment and naturalization routes.
- Discreet, encrypted client handling, ensuring no data is retained in breachable networks.
- Emergency travel planning, including safe exit from high-risk zones.
- Tax planning and banking restructuring are often necessary after identity transition.
Why Second Passports and New Identities Matter in 2025
As global surveillance expands and authoritarian regimes tighten control, legal tools like new identities and second citizenships are more than luxuries — they are shields.
For Hong Kong residents caught between two worlds, Amicus offers a third: the legal, secure, and confidential route to freedom.
📞 Contact Information
Phone: +1 (604) 200-5402
Email: info@amicusint.ca
Website: www.amicusint.ca
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About Amicus International Consulting
Amicus International Consulting is a global firm specializing in second citizenship, legal identity change, privacy protection, and cross-border legal strategies. With clients in over 60 countries, Amicus supports individuals facing complex political, legal, and personal challenges through confidential, customized, and compliant pathways to new lives.