China’s National Immigration Administration reported 6.62 million cross-border trips during the 30 December–1 January public holiday, up 28.6 % year-on-year. Notably, 2.42 million of those journeys were made by residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan—an increase of 15.9 %.
Mainland citizens accounted for 3.36 million trips (+39 %), while foreign nationals logged 828,000 crossings, 292,000 of them under new short-stay visa-waiver schemes. The administration also inspected 283,000 flights, vessels, trains and vehicles, reflecting an 11.4 % uptick in transport activity.
![National data show 2.42 million Hong Kong, Macao & Taiwan residents among 6.62 million cross-border trips over holiday]()
For Hong Kong corporates, the numbers validate the rapid rebound in intra-Greater Bay Area mobility and suggest that demand for regional commuter passes and multi-entry permits will continue to rise in 2026. Airlines and ferry operators are already evaluating capacity increases for the forthcoming Lunar New Year.
Businesses and individual travelers who want to stay ahead of this surge can simplify applications and renewals through VisaHQ’s Hong Kong platform (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/), which aggregates the latest visa requirements, offers real-time tracking, and provides courier options—helping clients secure permits quickly even during peak travel seasons.
Mobility advisers recommend that assignees holding outdated Home Return Permits renew documents early, as processing queues have lengthened to two weeks at the China Travel Service offices in Tsim Sha Tsui and Sheung Wan.
Mainland citizens accounted for 3.36 million trips (+39 %), while foreign nationals logged 828,000 crossings, 292,000 of them under new short-stay visa-waiver schemes. The administration also inspected 283,000 flights, vessels, trains and vehicles, reflecting an 11.4 % uptick in transport activity.
For Hong Kong corporates, the numbers validate the rapid rebound in intra-Greater Bay Area mobility and suggest that demand for regional commuter passes and multi-entry permits will continue to rise in 2026. Airlines and ferry operators are already evaluating capacity increases for the forthcoming Lunar New Year.
Businesses and individual travelers who want to stay ahead of this surge can simplify applications and renewals through VisaHQ’s Hong Kong platform (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/), which aggregates the latest visa requirements, offers real-time tracking, and provides courier options—helping clients secure permits quickly even during peak travel seasons.
Mobility advisers recommend that assignees holding outdated Home Return Permits renew documents early, as processing queues have lengthened to two weeks at the China Travel Service offices in Tsim Sha Tsui and Sheung Wan.
