Hong Kong plans to test a new channel using facial recognition at one of its checkpoints by June to cut clearance time to five seconds, with immigration authorities handling a record 335 million people entering and leaving the city last year.
Director of Immigration Benson Kwok Joon-fung said at an annual press conference on Friday that the city handled 12 per cent more passengers overall than in 2024.
“Last year’s record high immigration figures mean that our immigration clearance work in the future will be challenging. Therefore, our two key priorities will be to improve clearance efficiency and checkpoint infrastructure,” Kwok said.
The total number of inbound visitors had reached 49 million last year, 12 per cent higher than the 2024 tally.
Among them, mainland visitors accounted for 38 million people, 11 per cent more than in 2024. Overseas visitors recorded a 15 per cent increase to 12 million last year.
Kwok said that a contactless clearance pilot scheme would be launched in the second quarter this year, as a means to streamline immigration clearance procedures.
