Immigration up to speed as peak travel nears

The Immigration Department expects to receive around 2,700 help inquiries this year - about two thirds that of 2019 - on its 1868 hotline and WhatsApp assistance services to residents requiring help outside Hong Kong.

It received more than 1,100 inquiries in the first five months of the year, said chief immigration officer of international cooperation Mickie Choi Yu-fei yesterday at the International Travel Expo.

It will hold a public talk with the commissioner's office of the foreign ministry during the exhibition on national consular protection and assisting people needing travel-related help.

Residents are able to ask for help via four channels, with the other two by filling in online forms on the department's website and mobile app.

The department has received 1,749 inquiries in the two months since it set up the hotline in April, about 10 percent of which were calls for help.

"Residents are able to find information via the general hotline [2824-6111]. We would like to advise citizens to use the WhatsApp assistance service wisely," Choi said.

The assistance unit, with a team of 500, is on call at any time.

The commissioner's office of the foreign ministry will assist the department in cases outside of China, for instance chartering flights and evacuating people from conflict zones.

The department had five tips as the peak travel season approaches.

"Residents should check the outbound travel alert issued by the Security Bureau and learn about potential risks at their destination," Choi said.

He added that travelers should plan their itinerary before departure, check out weather conditions and insurance coverage.

"They should prepare an additional copy of their travel documents and store them separately in case they lose their passport and identity card."

Choi further advised Hongkongers to keep in touch with their relatives and friends during their trips, and learn about foreign traffic regulations if they plan to drive.