With Christmas week barely over, Hong Kong’s Immigration Department has projected a record 11.52 million passenger movements between 24 December and 4 January. Roughly 9.65 million of those trips are expected at land checkpoints, led by Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line/Futian and Shenzhen Bay, each forecast to handle more than 150,000 travellers per day. To cope, the government has cancelled all frontline officers’ leave, opened temporary inspection booths and activated a joint command centre staffed by Immigration, Police, Customs and the MTR Corporation.
The command centre will monitor live CCTV feeds and crowd sensors installed after last year’s Lunar New Year congestion. Data feeds into a public dashboard and the "HK-CrossBorder" mobile app, allowing travellers—and corporate travel managers—to divert staff to less crowded checkpoints. Companies running cross-border shuttle services have been given API access so that bus dispatchers can re-route coaches in real time.
Travel planners who need help navigating entry rules can streamline every visa step through VisaHQ’s Hong Kong portal (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/), which lists current requirements, enables online applications and offers courier options—saving valuable hours for both leisure visitors and corporate mobility teams.
![Immigration Department braces for 11.5 million holiday border crossings and activates joint command centre]()
Why the surge? Analysts cite the weak Japanese yen and euro, which have encouraged Hongkongers to travel overseas via Shenzhen airports, while mainland residents continue to flock south for duty-free shopping and concerts. The SAR’s removal of all pre-arrival health declarations earlier this month has also simplified same-day trips.
For businesses, the operational implications are real. Logistics firms moving samples or documents across the border face potential delays of up to 45 minutes during evening peaks. Mobility teams should advise assignees to schedule departures outside 16:00–20:00 and to use the Lok Ma Chau pedestrian bridge, which historically processes 20 per cent fewer travellers than Lo Wu.
Longer term, the Immigration Department is accelerating its "e-Checkpoint 2.0" programme—biometric lanes capable of 12-second processing—at Sheung Shui Spur Line station and the new Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai crossing. A tender for 500 additional e-gates closes in February, signalling continued investment in frictionless mobility.
The command centre will monitor live CCTV feeds and crowd sensors installed after last year’s Lunar New Year congestion. Data feeds into a public dashboard and the "HK-CrossBorder" mobile app, allowing travellers—and corporate travel managers—to divert staff to less crowded checkpoints. Companies running cross-border shuttle services have been given API access so that bus dispatchers can re-route coaches in real time.
Travel planners who need help navigating entry rules can streamline every visa step through VisaHQ’s Hong Kong portal (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/), which lists current requirements, enables online applications and offers courier options—saving valuable hours for both leisure visitors and corporate mobility teams.
Why the surge? Analysts cite the weak Japanese yen and euro, which have encouraged Hongkongers to travel overseas via Shenzhen airports, while mainland residents continue to flock south for duty-free shopping and concerts. The SAR’s removal of all pre-arrival health declarations earlier this month has also simplified same-day trips.
For businesses, the operational implications are real. Logistics firms moving samples or documents across the border face potential delays of up to 45 minutes during evening peaks. Mobility teams should advise assignees to schedule departures outside 16:00–20:00 and to use the Lok Ma Chau pedestrian bridge, which historically processes 20 per cent fewer travellers than Lo Wu.
Longer term, the Immigration Department is accelerating its "e-Checkpoint 2.0" programme—biometric lanes capable of 12-second processing—at Sheung Shui Spur Line station and the new Liantang/Heung Yuen Wai crossing. A tender for 500 additional e-gates closes in February, signalling continued investment in frictionless mobility.
