The Immigration Department has lowered the bar for Hong Kong residents to enrol in its pilot Seamless—or ‘contactless’—e-Channel service at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Passenger Clearance Building. Effective immediately (24 September), permanent residents aged 11 and above who have crossed the bridge six times within the past 90 days can register automatically at designated lanes, without prior use of the department’s mobile app. Adults aged 18 or over may now complete registration simply by opting-in at the e-gate right before departure, merging immigration clearance and enrolment into a single step. Since the pilot’s launch three months ago, roughly 14,000 residents have signed up, generating more than 100,000 automated trips. The HZMB is a strategic artery for cross-boundary commuters and trucking companies serving the Greater Bay logistics chain. By dropping paperwork and smartphone prerequisites, the new threshold should accelerate throughput during peak holiday periods, including the upcoming ‘Golden Week’. For corporate mobility managers, the tweak means assignees and frequent day-trippers can gain e-Gate access after roughly two round-trips per month—half the frequency originally required. Authorities will harvest performance data to evaluate a roll-out to other control points, such as Shenzhen Bay Port and Hong Kong International Airport. Travellers can still call the ImmD hotline or email enquiries, but officials caution that misuse—such as allowing non-eligible passengers to tailgate—could lead to prosecution. Companies whose staff shuttle between Hong Kong and Zhuhai for plant visits or R&D collaborations should update pre-trip briefing notes. In practice, employees should carry their smart ID cards, approach the ‘Seamless e-Channel’ lane, and follow the on-screen prompt to consent to enrolment before passing the gate.
Source: news.gov.hk
