Hong Kong’s Immigration Department recorded 1.25 million inbound and outbound movements on 25 December, the highest single-day figure since borders fully reopened last year. According to China Daily Asia, 457,000 arrivals and 795,000 departures were processed, with the Lo Wu rail checkpoint handling the biggest volumes. Mainland visitors accounted for roughly 83,000 entries.
The numbers validate the SAR government’s projection of 11.5 million crossings during the combined Christmas and New Year break. Retail analysts expect the influx of mainland shoppers to lift holiday sales by 12 percent year-on-year, especially for luxury and electronics brands that qualify for Beijing’s duty-free re-import allowance.
For those who still need entry permits, VisaHQ’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/china/) can streamline the entire visa application process for both China and Hong Kong, offering step-by-step guidance, document collection, and real-time tracking so travelers receive approvals well ahead of peak holiday periods.
![Hong Kong Logs 1.25 Million Border Crossings on Christmas Day]()
Operationally, the surge tested staffing at the eight land and sea control points. Authorities opened all counters and activated mobile e-channel trucks to keep wait times under 30 minutes. Cross-boundary bus operators added 200 extra departures, and the MTR ran overnight rail services.
For companies managing cross-border commuters, HR teams should prepare contingency plans such as remote-work options on peak-travel days. Travellers are advised to pre-register fingerprints for e-channel use and monitor the Immigration Department’s mobile app for live queue data.
The data also reinforces arguments by Hong Kong business groups for further expansion of the multiple-entry visa scheme for Guangdong residents, which they say would smooth cross-border manufacturing and finance operations in the Greater Bay Area.
The numbers validate the SAR government’s projection of 11.5 million crossings during the combined Christmas and New Year break. Retail analysts expect the influx of mainland shoppers to lift holiday sales by 12 percent year-on-year, especially for luxury and electronics brands that qualify for Beijing’s duty-free re-import allowance.
For those who still need entry permits, VisaHQ’s online platform (https://www.visahq.com/china/) can streamline the entire visa application process for both China and Hong Kong, offering step-by-step guidance, document collection, and real-time tracking so travelers receive approvals well ahead of peak holiday periods.
Operationally, the surge tested staffing at the eight land and sea control points. Authorities opened all counters and activated mobile e-channel trucks to keep wait times under 30 minutes. Cross-boundary bus operators added 200 extra departures, and the MTR ran overnight rail services.
For companies managing cross-border commuters, HR teams should prepare contingency plans such as remote-work options on peak-travel days. Travellers are advised to pre-register fingerprints for e-channel use and monitor the Immigration Department’s mobile app for live queue data.
The data also reinforces arguments by Hong Kong business groups for further expansion of the multiple-entry visa scheme for Guangdong residents, which they say would smooth cross-border manufacturing and finance operations in the Greater Bay Area.
