Immigration logs 335mn passenger trips with contactless e-channel to launch at HK-ZH-Macao Bridge

Hong Kong logged a record 335 million travellers who crossed the borders last year, up 12 percent year-on-year.

The Immigration Department also says contactless e-channels will be launched at the Hong Kong Port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge.

In its annual review press conference, the Immigration Department described 2025 as a "busy" year.

There were nearly 50 million inbound visitors, which rose 12 percent year-on-year. Mainland visitors accounted for 76 percent of them, up 11 percent.

To cope with rising passenger flows, there will be 12 new "e-channels" added to the airport in the first quarter, while the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge will see the rollout of contactless "e-channels" in the second quarter.

The system will take pictures of travellers' face, and compare it with the database in real time -- a process that takes just five seconds, two seconds faster than the current "e-channels."

The first phase of the scheme is expected to be open to eligible Hong Kong residents.

BENSON KWOK, Director of Immigration: "We will start a test, allowing some frequent travellers at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge to try using the system and hopefully the system can be implemented formally very soon."

Last year, the Immigration Department conducted nearly 20,000 law enforcement operations, leading to the arrest of about 3,700 people.

Last year, 2,600 non-refoulement claimants were also deported from Hong Kong.

Regarding the recent rise in non-refoulement claim numbers filed by Indonesian nationals, Director of Immigration Benson Kwok says the department has been working with

the Indonesian government to address the situation.

Last year, 32,000 people were refused entry into Hong Kong. 85 percent involved suspicious entry purposes, including suspected attempts to work illegally in Hong Kong.