Hong Kong motorists eager to take their private vehicles over the border got another shot today as the Transport Department opened the 73rd computer ballot for the Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles scheme. From 10 a.m. on 23 February until 11:59 p.m. on 26 February, eligible car owners can register online for a chance to submit full permit applications next week.
The quota-controlled programme, launched in July 2023, lets Hong Kong-registered cars make multiple self-drive trips through the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) into Guangdong without the cumbersome double-plate system. Demand has consistently outstripped supply: each round of balloting covers only a few thousand slots, but more than 20,000 drivers typically vie for them.
Whether you’re a business traveller shuttling to factories in the Greater Bay Area or a family planning weekend adventures, VisaHQ can help secure the China visas and related paperwork you’ll need alongside the Northbound Travel permit. Their Hong Kong team (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) offers step-by-step guidance, real-time application tracking and concierge support, making cross-border trips faster and less stressful.
![Ballot Registration Opens for Northbound Travel Scheme Allowing Hong Kong Cars into Guangdong]()
Successful applicants receive a one-year permit for unlimited entries, subject to pre-booking each journey on the bridge’s Quick-Cross system and holding mainland compulsory traffic-accident insurance. The arrangement has become popular with small-business owners who shuttle samples between Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area as well as families visiting relatives in Shenzhen or Zhongshan.
Officials say the scheme has processed over 180,000 northbound trips in the past 12 months. They expect volumes to climb further once contactless e-Channels and upgraded toll plazas open on the bridge later this year, cutting average clearance times to under 15 minutes.
For corporate mobility teams, the scheme simplifies short-haul assignments and client visits on the mainland side of the GBA. However, slots remain scarce. Advisers recommend that companies maintain backup arrangements—such as cross-border chauffeur services or high-speed rail—to avoid last-minute disruptions if ballot entries prove unsuccessful.
The quota-controlled programme, launched in July 2023, lets Hong Kong-registered cars make multiple self-drive trips through the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) into Guangdong without the cumbersome double-plate system. Demand has consistently outstripped supply: each round of balloting covers only a few thousand slots, but more than 20,000 drivers typically vie for them.
Whether you’re a business traveller shuttling to factories in the Greater Bay Area or a family planning weekend adventures, VisaHQ can help secure the China visas and related paperwork you’ll need alongside the Northbound Travel permit. Their Hong Kong team (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) offers step-by-step guidance, real-time application tracking and concierge support, making cross-border trips faster and less stressful.
Successful applicants receive a one-year permit for unlimited entries, subject to pre-booking each journey on the bridge’s Quick-Cross system and holding mainland compulsory traffic-accident insurance. The arrangement has become popular with small-business owners who shuttle samples between Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area as well as families visiting relatives in Shenzhen or Zhongshan.
Officials say the scheme has processed over 180,000 northbound trips in the past 12 months. They expect volumes to climb further once contactless e-Channels and upgraded toll plazas open on the bridge later this year, cutting average clearance times to under 15 minutes.
For corporate mobility teams, the scheme simplifies short-haul assignments and client visits on the mainland side of the GBA. However, slots remain scarce. Advisers recommend that companies maintain backup arrangements—such as cross-border chauffeur services or high-speed rail—to avoid last-minute disruptions if ballot entries prove unsuccessful.
