The Immigration Department (ImmD) has established 16 dedicated e-channels at various ports for athletes participating in the National Games, allowing them to clear border control in seven seconds with facial recognition technology.
This measure is being implemented in anticipation of a significant increase in travel between Guangdong, Hong Kong, and Macau during the event period.
According to Director of Immigration Benson Kwok Joon-fung, the services will cover Hong Kong International Airport, West Kowloon Station, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, and Shenzhen Bay Port.
Each checkpoint will set up four dedicated e-channels, including two for arriving athletes and the other two for departures, which is expected to benefit over 5,000 athletes and related personnel.
Meanwhile, athletes from the Hong Kong team can also use the services to enter and exit the city.
Kwok highlighted that this initiative marks the first time Hong Kong has allowed visitors to complete all immigration procedures without any physical documents.
Wong Kwan-yin, the divisional commander (Boundary) vehicles of ImmD, noted that the measure will not affect the residents' normal travel at the border, since the authorities will monitor the traffic closely and flexibly deploy manpower to open new counters.
He added that athletes are required to present their valid travel documents for identity verification when using the e-channels for the first time.
Additionally, Kwok mentioned that the ImmD will send 10 representatives competing in eight events at the National Games, and 181 personnel from the department will serve as volunteers for the events.
