HONG KONG — In choosing Hong Kong as an initial place to take refuge from the United States government, the National Security Agency contractor who has acknowledged leaking documents has selected a jurisdiction where it may be possible to delay extradition but not avoid it, legal and law enforcement experts here said.

The contractor, Edward J. Snowden, was apparently still in Hong Kong at 12:30 p.m. Monday. The Mira Hotel, an elegant boutique hotel on the Kowloon side of Victoria Harbor, said Monday evening that he had stayed at the hotel but checked out at that time.

It was not clear whether Mr. Snowden remained in Hong Kong or left the territory, which is part of China but has a high degree of autonomy. The hotel gave no further information, and the Hong Kong government declined to discuss Mr. Snowden’s whereabouts, citing a policy of not commenting on individual cases.

“All cases will be handled in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong,” the government said in a brief statement.