Hong Kong authorities have intensified enforcement against mainland visitors illegally offering tour guide, photography, and other services during the National Day “golden week” holiday, yet advertisements for such unlicensed work continue to appear on mainland Chinese social media platforms.
From October 1 to 7, Hong Kong anticipates welcoming approximately 1.29 million visitors from the mainland. Despite recent crackdowns, platforms like RedNote still feature accounts by Shenzhen-based photographers promoting their services in Hong Kong. Some advertisers claim local residency to justify their work, although independent photography and tour guiding are prohibited in key venues such as Disneyland, regardless of immigration status.
Over the weekend, the Immigration Department arrested four mainland women aged 20 to 31 suspected of illegal employment. The individuals had promoted make-up, photography, and tour guide services on social media and were apprehended while working in the city. One was a make-up artist charging HK$700 daily, while three others combined photography and tour guiding, charging between HK$400 and HK$600 per package. They offered services in popular locations including the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, West Kowloon Cultural District, and local theme parks. Two additional local women were arrested for allegedly assisting these visitors in breaching visa conditions.
Authorities have conducted multiple joint operations recently. Last month, the Immigration Department and the Travel Industry Authority arrested two mainland visitors for providing unauthorized tour guide and photo-taking services. Similar enforcement in September 2025 led to the arrest of eight mainland visitors, including four photographers and four make-up artists.
Efforts to deter illegal work include public distribution of informational leaflets at tourist spots, warning against hiring unlicensed workers. Despite this, advertisements persist. On October 1, a Shenzhen-based photographer offered a full-day photography package for 1,500 yuan, including 10 edited photos, to a reporter, assuring repeated monthly visits to Hong Kong for such work. Another post listed an hourly photography rate of 89 yuan at the West Kowloon Cultural District, with a travel authorization fee reimbursed separately.
Local industry professionals express concerns over the impact of mainland providers on their businesses. Make-up artist Erika Lau, 32, highlighted that mainland workers offer significantly lower prices—sometimes as low as one-third of local rates for wedding make-up services—drawing customers away from local artists. Lau described a trend of local studios closing and a decline in job opportunities, emphasizing the need for Hong Kong professionals to adapt to mainland market preferences to remain competitive.
Under Hong Kong law, illegal employment can result in fines up to HK$50,000 and two years’ imprisonment, while hiring illegal workers carries penalties of up to HK$350,000 and three years in prison. Ahead of the golden week, authorities also revoked licenses of two travel agencies and a guide for failing to protect mainland tour group members from coerced shopping practices.