Hong Kong cracks down on tourists abusing visas to run one-stop shop services

Hong Kong immigration authorities are cracking down on tourists abusing their visas to run unlicensed one-stop shops offering cosmetic, photography and tour guide services.

Li Kwing-chiu, a task force commander with the Immigration Department, revealed on Monday that the four women, aged 20 to 31, were arrested for allegedly breaching their conditions of stay by running an unlicensed one-stop shop that charged several hundred Hong Kong dollars a day for their services.

The suspects entered the city on tourist visas on Sunday and Monday, he added.

“We urge visitors and residents to be cautious when using social media to purchase services and refrain from purchasing services from unknown sources out of convenience, as this may offend the law,” he warned.

Li said the department had noticed posts on several popular social media platforms offering a “one-stop shop” for make-up, photography and tour guide services in Hong Kong.

The South China Morning Post found the relevant adverts on mainland Chinese platform RedNote, with prices varying depending on whether the photoshoots took place inside or outdoors. Clients were asked to cover the service providers’ travel and visa fees.

In the relevant adverts on mainland Chinese platform RedNote, prices varied depending on whether the photoshoots took place inside or outdoors. Clients were asked to cover the service providers’ travel and visa fees.

The adverts offered photoshoots in Shenzhen as well as Hong Kong, adding that clients would get advice on how to pose for the pictures.

As part of their investigation, immigration officers posed as potential customers to make contact with the suspects and book the service packages. The four women were later arrested when they entered Hong Kong on a tourist visa.

“They were running personal accounts on social media and used cheap fees to attract customers,” Li said.

Among the arrested women, one was a make-up artist who allegedly charged HK$700 (US$89) per day for her service. The other three were photographers who also acted as tour guides, charging HK$400 to HK$600 per package.

These women allegedly said they could plan a tour for their client in tourist hotspots such as the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, the West Kowloon Cultural District and local theme parks, as well as offer styling advice and take photos for them.

Li warned that all visitors to the city cannot undertake paid or unpaid labour without the express permission of the director of immigration. Anyone caught breaking the law could face a HK$50,000 fine and two years in prison, he added.

In September last year, the Immigration Department arrested eight mainland visitors on suspicion of working illegally in Hong Kong as photographers and make-up artists at popular tourist destinations.

Two local women were also arrested in the same operation on suspicion of partnering with these illegal workers and helping visitors breach their conditions of stay.

In Hong Kong, employers caught hiring illegal workers risk a fine of HK$350,000 and three years’ imprisonment.