Shenzhen has smashed its own mobility record. By the morning of May 2, the city’s nine land, sea and air checkpoints had processed over 100 million passenger movements since 1 January—17 days faster than in 2025 and well ahead of any other Chinese port of entry. Behind the milestone is a potent mix of policy and technology. Six major crossings—including Luohu, Futian and Shenzhen Bay—now run fully automated face-recognition lanes. Border officials told China Central Television that one in three travellers clears immigration by simply “brushing a face,” cutting average processing times by 37 percent. The city has also capitalised on Beijing’s 240-hour transit-without-visa programme, which allows foreigners connecting through the Greater Bay Area to roam Guangdong for up to 10 days.
![Shenzhen border crossings top 100 million five months into 2026]()
For international visitors keen to leverage these smoother entry options, VisaHQ offers an easy, end-to-end platform for securing the necessary visas and travel authorisations. Whether you're transiting under the 240-hour visa exemption or arranging multi-entry documents for recurring business trips, the service’s China desk (https://www.visahq.com/china/) can guide you through requirements, compile paperwork and submit applications on your behalf—saving valuable time as Shenzhen’s checkpoints grow busier.
Traffic spikes are also linked to marquee events. As the host of APEC Leaders’ Week this November, Shenzhen expects a flood of advance site inspections and logistics staff. Hoteliers near the Futian checkpoint say corporate block bookings are already 60 percent higher than this time last year. For businesses, the message is clear: book transport early and have employees enrol for the NIA’s e-channel in advance to avoid queues. Companies moving goods should also note that smart gate integration with customs means drivers can submit cargo manifests digitally before arriving, shaving roughly 20 minutes off each crossing.
For international visitors keen to leverage these smoother entry options, VisaHQ offers an easy, end-to-end platform for securing the necessary visas and travel authorisations. Whether you're transiting under the 240-hour visa exemption or arranging multi-entry documents for recurring business trips, the service’s China desk (https://www.visahq.com/china/) can guide you through requirements, compile paperwork and submit applications on your behalf—saving valuable time as Shenzhen’s checkpoints grow busier.
Traffic spikes are also linked to marquee events. As the host of APEC Leaders’ Week this November, Shenzhen expects a flood of advance site inspections and logistics staff. Hoteliers near the Futian checkpoint say corporate block bookings are already 60 percent higher than this time last year. For businesses, the message is clear: book transport early and have employees enrol for the NIA’s e-channel in advance to avoid queues. Companies moving goods should also note that smart gate integration with customs means drivers can submit cargo manifests digitally before arriving, shaving roughly 20 minutes off each crossing.
