How to Use Claude in Hong Kong: Unblock Claude AI in 2026

If you’ve tried to use Claude in Hong Kong, you immediately noticed the error message. But it’s not like Claude is illegal in Hong Kong. Actually, when you read Claude’s list of supported countries, Hong Kong isn’t there at all. However, there’s a way to overcome the restriction by using a VPN. It changes your IP to a country abroad, effectively hiding your whereabouts.

I’ll explain the workaround to use Claude AI in Hong Kong in this updated 2026 guide, as well as cover how to register for Claude in Hong Kong, since it requires a phone number for account verification.

Why is Claude Blocked in Hong Kong?

In a recent post, I mentioned that ChatGPT is also blocked in Hong Kong. And by that, I mean the entire platform, not specific models. It’s the same with Claude. First, the platform itself doesn’t include Hong Kong as a supported country. You can see this on the official list of supported regions.

Then, there are corporate bans. Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan Chase, and a few other businesses have banned their employees in Hong Kong from using Claude. It’s vital to understand that the government hasn’t banned Claude in Hong Kong. It’s solely an issue of licensing terms.

This is why people rely on a VPN to unblock Claude in Hong Kong. A VPN encrypts traffic and changes the user’s IP address. In turn, the user no longer appears in their country, but somewhere else. The trick works well for this platform, but also for ChatGPT, which suffers the same fate.

How to Unblock Claude in Hong Kong: Full Tutorial

Here’s a detailed guide. First, you’ll need a VPN. HK isn’t a censored country like China, so it’s a lot more forgiving when it comes to choosing a VPN. However, Claude’s algorithms still detect VPNs, so you need one that frequently refreshes IP addresses and uses obfuscation to bypass VPN blocking. My choice is NordVPN, a VPN I personally tested while traveling and at home, in New York.

Subscribe to NordVPN

NordVPN works in Hong Kong, and its site is operable, so you can visit it above and get the plan you want. My #1 is the Basic 2-year plan at 75% off with 3 free months. It’s also risk-free with a 30-day guarantee, so if you’re temporary in Hong Kong, you can get a refund if you’re home within this period. Install the VPN on your devices, sign in to the app, and it’ll open up.

Now, connect to the closest server location that works. To use Claude in Hong Kong, I opt for the Japanese server, though you can use a Taiwan VPN server if you want. Pick the server location, and it’ll connect in a few seconds.

Instead of the error message, Claude should now open in Hong Kong and work normally. I have an account, so I just signed in and got back to where I left off. But if you don’t have an account, it’s another issue.

⚠️ Registering on Claude in Hong Kong

To prevent spam, Claude requires a phone number to verify your account. Obviously, it won’t work with a number from Hong Kong, so you can:

• Use a phone number from overseas.
• Use a virtual phone number service.

The first one is easy if you’re a traveler in Hong Kong. You already have a phone number in another, likely supported country. Use that number, and you’re all set. Another option, and I think it’s a bit more of a hassle, is to use a virtual phone number service. It gives you a one-time verification number for these scenarios. I tried this method, too, and it worked, but here’s what I did.

I signed up, chose a number in a supported country, and purchased it. Then I used Bitcall, and one SMS cost me ~$0.6. After that, I typed the number when Claude requested it, and when I received a verification code, I pasted it back into Claude. That worked, but out of precaution, I turned OFF 2FA in my account to prevent Claude from asking me for a verification code again.

Best VPN for Claude in Hong Kong

When you want to use Claude in Hong Kong, you must have a VPN enabled all the time. It means you need something safe, private, and fast to reduce waiting times on prompts and actually get the most out of Claude’s Opus or Fable models. I tested 10 while I was in HK, but these 3 stood out.

1. NordVPN: Best VPN for Claude Overall

NordVPN does what you need it to. Connect to any server and use Claude in Hong Kong. In speed tests, it’s the fastest VPN we used, and in privacy, it beats any other with all the tools at your disposal. My favorite is Threat Protection, which blocks malware, ads, trackers, and viruses, which anyone would need. Double VPN servers enhance encryption, and optional obfuscation works in China.

NordVPN also enforces its privacy through a no-log policy and RAM-based servers. Deloitte audited its no-log policy six times, the last one in February 2026. A huge plus is compatibility, as NordVPN really works on all platforms. For instance, it’s the only Firestick TV VPN that works on Vega OS (with Surfshark, actually joining recently). Price-wise, it’s only about $3.49 per month for 2 years.

But then, you have a 30-day guarantee if you need it temporarily, or a useful 3-day free trial obtainable via Google Play, for Android users.

Visit NordVPN

2. Proton VPN: Best for Privacy

Proton VPN doesn’t work in China, but in Hong Kong, it’s different. I used it to unblock and access Claude in Hong Kong without enabling Stealth. With the WireGuard protocol and VPN Accelerator, Proton VPN became very fast, rivaling NordVPN. One thing I noticed was that Proton VPN wasn’t very resource-heavy. That was useful on mobile when I wanted to preserve my battery life.

Privacy-wise, Proton VPN goes an extra mile. Secure Core servers encrypt your traffic twice and route it through a secure server owned by Proton VPN. NetShield blocks trackers, ads, and malicious URLs, while a kill switch prevents data leaks. Proton VPN has apps for all devices, and they’re fully open-source, with a no-log policy and infrastructure audited by a few third-party companies.

In my Proton VPN review, I extensively praised its recently dropped prices. At $2.99 per month for 2 years, it’s less expensive than NordVPN, but still works with Claude in Hong Kong on up to 10 devices.

Visit Proton VPN

3. ExpressVPN: Best for Ease of Use

ExpressVPN is perfect to use Claude in Hong Kong if you’re a total beginner. Its apps are designed with one-click connections, so you can unblock Claude in HK in seconds. While using it, you enjoy high speeds thanks to the Lightway Turbo protocol, with Stealth enabled to bypass censorship worldwide. ExpressVPN also works in China reliably. Admittedly, you’ll miss out on a few features.

Double VPN, malware protection, and antivirus. However, ExpressVPN compensates with its Advanced Protection to block trackers and ads, and a kill switch to shield against leaks. It also has a court-proven and audited no-log policy, so it’s really built for privacy. Apps now support all devices, and you get 10-14 simultaneous connections, depending on the plan. ExpressVPN is inexpensive.

It recently dropped to about $2.49 per month for 2 years with 4 free months. A 30-day guarantee means you can test it risk-free and be refunded if you can’t unblock Claude in Hong Kong (very unlikely).

Visit ExpressVPN

Will a Free VPN Work?

Yes, it will, but you’ll face several problems. Free VPNs often limit data and speed, so you’ll be unable to use Claude in Hong Kong whenever you wish. Some providers, especially Proton VPN and TunnelBear, don’t let you select a server and automatically assign you the VPN location, which may not work for Claude. Most free VPNs also quietly store logs and sell your data in the background.

Unlike a premium VPN, a free VPN limits you to one device at a time. I find this impractical when traveling, where I have to sign out of the VPN on one device to use it on another. It’s dishonest to say you can’t unblock Claude in Hong Kong for free, but to say it’ll be pleasant, it definitely won’t be.

Summary

If you can’t use Claude in Hong Kong, you can always try Gemini as a solid alternative. But Claude has its advantages, and for many, it’s just more human-like and useful for tasks, like writing and coding. You can unblock Claude in Hong Kong with a VPN, with a connection to a server overseas. That unlocks all AI models, offering their capabilities at your fingertips.

Which VPNs work? NordVPN, Proton VPN, and ExpressVPN. All three are entirely risk-free, and all three unblock even ChatGPT for a change. It’s no wonder our experts placed them on the list of the best VPNs to use in Hong Kong.

Try NordVPN Risk-Free

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