Mainland authorities brace for 2.4 million daily cross-border trips over Golden Week
Hong Kong adds 40 extra High-Speed Rail services for Mid-Autumn and National Day rush
Hong Kong adds extra High-Speed Rail services and modifies ferries for holiday peak
Latest News
Booking-free Tuesday eases traffic for "Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles" scheme
Because 22 September fell on a booking-free Tuesday, Hong Kong motorists in the Northbound Travel scheme could drive across the HZMB without prior reservations. With Mid-Autumn and National Day holidays imminent, the next waiver will not be until 29 September, and penalties for no-shows remain strict. The one-day window gave businesses flexible, fee-free access to Guangdong.
MTR to run overnight trains and extend service by 1.5 hours on Mid-Autumn night
The MTR will extend operating hours by 90 minutes across most lines on 25 September and add East Rail Line trains throughout the Mid-Autumn weekend. The move gives late-night revellers and cross-boundary commuters more flexibility and aligns with government efforts to boost evening economic activity.
Cathay Pacific warns of 90-minute membership-system outage in early hours of 22 September
Cathay Pacific will take its membership portal offline from 02:00-03:30 HKT on 22 September for security upgrades. While flight bookings remain available, users will be unable to log in or redeem miles, so corporate travel teams should finalise any urgent upgrades before the blackout.
Quota for 22 September briefing of imported workers under ESLS reaches capacity
The 22 September ESLS orientation for imported workers is fully booked, highlighting strong employer demand for foreign labour. Attendance is mandatory under the Standard Employment Contract, so companies onboarding staff after this date must secure places at October sessions or face compliance risks.
Park Island ferry cancellations on 23 September prompt replacement bus service
Four peak-time Park Island ferry sailings on 23 September will be scrapped and replaced by NR338S buses, affecting Ma Wan-Central and Ma Wan-Tsuen Wan commuters. Companies with staff residing on Park Island should expect marginal delays and ensure travellers use the HKeMobility app for updates.
Hong Kong’s Transport & Logistics Secretary heads to Beijing for APEC Transportation Ministerial
Hong Kong’s transport chief will join her APEC counterparts in Beijing on 22 September to shape regional policies on seamless, sustainable and digital cross-border transport. Outcomes could influence future e-Channel reciprocity, air-service liberalisation and carbon-compliance obligations for firms routing staff through Hong Kong.
Customs seizes HK$1 million in cannabis from inbound passenger at Hong Kong International Airport
Customs officers at HKIA seized 5 kg of cannabis from an inbound passenger on 21 September, highlighting the city’s aggressive risk-based screening strategy. Business travellers on complex routings should expect more secondary inspections and allow additional arrival time.
UK updates Hong Kong travel advice, highlights dual-nationality treatment and protest risks
The UK FCDO has updated its Hong Kong travel advice, stressing that dual British-Chinese nationals may be treated solely as Chinese citizens and highlighting continuing National Security Law enforcement. Corporate mobility teams should audit traveller nationality status and maintain protest-monitoring protocols.
RCEP starts formal process for Hong Kong’s accession, paving way for easier regional mobility
RCEP members have created an Accession Working Group to negotiate Hong Kong’s entry into the mega-trade bloc. Although full membership is several years away, companies should already analyse how RCEP’s mobility chapters could shorten visa lead-times for regional assignments.
Six-month jail terms for passengers caught with undeclared cigars at Hong Kong land border
Two visitors received six-month jail sentences for smuggling undeclared cigars across the Shenzhen–Hong Kong land border. The ruling signals Hong Kong Customs’ no-tolerance stance as holiday traffic builds, and companies should brief travellers on strict tobacco allowances.
Authorities target illegal work in foreign domestic helper hotspots, arresting overstayers
A joint FEHD-Immigration-Police operation in Central and Mong Kok netted three immigration violators and multiple unlicensed hawkers, signaling stepped-up scrutiny of foreign domestic helpers and other visitors who breach visa conditions. Employers are reminded of their liability for illegal work.
Duty-free cigarette smugglers jailed as Hong Kong tightens festive-season checks
Two men were jailed for smuggling 8,000 cigarettes into Hong Kong, underscoring zero-tolerance enforcement as Customs gears up for holiday traffic. Businesses moving staff or goods should remind personnel that there is no duty-free allowance for cigarettes in the SAR.
Very Hot Weather Warning prompts opening of 18 heat shelters across Hong Kong
A fresh Very Hot Weather Warning triggered the opening of government heat shelters on 21 September. Employers arranging site visits or outdoor duties for visitors and expatriates must apply Hong Kong’s new heat-stress code and offer cooling options.
Hong Kong Customs seizes HK$1 million worth of cannabis from arriving passenger
Customs officers seized 5 kg of cannabis buds from an inbound passenger at Hong Kong International Airport, arresting the traveller and warning of possible longer arrival-channel checks over the coming days. Companies should advise travellers to allow extra time for immigration and baggage formalities.
Crackdown on unlicensed hawking at foreign domestic helper gathering spots signals tighter visa-condition enforcement
FEHD arrests nine people—some foreign domestic helpers—for unlicensed hawking in key gathering districts, and refers visa breaches to Immigration. Employers of domestic workers must ensure helpers understand work-restriction rules to avoid penalties and future visa complications.
Cathay Pacific announces overnight account-services outage ahead of system upgrade
Cathay Pacific will suspend all member log-in and account functions for 90 minutes early on 22 September for a system upgrade. Travellers should download boarding passes in advance and expect limited ability to change seats or redeem miles during the window.