The Immigration Department today presented a review of its work in 2024, covering passenger traffic at control points and law enforcement, among other things.

The department highlighted that a total of around 298 million passengers passed through Hong Kong's control points in 2024, representing an increase of about 41% over 2023 and a return to the 300 million level in 2019.

During the year, the total number of visitor arrivals was around 44.5 million, constituting an increase of about 31% when compared with 2023.

Meanwhile, the department conducted a total of 13,664 related inspection operations at various immigration control points and intercepted 32,551 passengers for enquiries.

In 2024, the department determined over 2,700 non-refoulement claims. As at the end of last year, there were about 850 claims pending screening.

Looking ahead, to enhance clearance efficiency, the department said that it will adjust the applicable age of the e-Channel service for Hong Kong permanent residents from the first quarter of this year onwards so that children aged seven or above holding a valid Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport and a Hong Kong permanent identity card can undergo self-service immigration clearance with a smart identity card using facial recognition technology at e-Channels.

The department also plans to introduce the new e-Channel at the Hong Kong International Airport's arrival hall in the third quarter of this year, which will enable eligible Hong Kong residents to experience hassle-free self-service immigration clearance through verification of identity by facial recognition technology at the new e-Channel upon arrival.

Additionally, the department fully supports the 15th National Games, the 12th National Games for Persons with Disabilities and the 9th National Special Olympic Games to be held this year, whereby special immigration lanes will be provided in the closed areas of designated control points on the Hong Kong side to provide faster and more convenient clearance services for athletes from the Mainland and Macau.