Hong Kong’s Immigration Department is reportedly planning to launch a “Smart Travel” pilot at the Hong Kong port of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge in December 2026. The reported scheme would allow registered eligible cross-border private-car drivers and passengers to clear immigration without presenting identity cards or other documents. The department has not been reported to have formally confirmed the plan.
The system would reportedly use artificial intelligence and facial-recognition technology to verify people in the vehicle automatically. However, reports have not set out the final eligibility rules, registration process, vehicle and passenger categories, or whether the pilot would cover entry, departure or both. Reports also give differing descriptions of who could qualify, and do not establish that the scheme would be limited to Hong Kong permanent residents.
The plan follows a reported trial of a two-lane “frictionless e-Channel” at the port’s departure hall on June 25, 2026. The trial was reported to be for eligible Hong Kong permanent residents, who could use facial recognition and artificial-intelligence image analysis to complete departure checks in about five seconds without showing an identity card or an e-Channel QR code.
Lee Yiu-pui, honorary life president of the China Hong Kong Automobile Association, told Ming Pao that drivers and passengers can already remain in their vehicles at the Hong Kong port while presenting documents. He said that process takes about two to three minutes, and suggested the efficiency gains from facial recognition at that port could therefore be limited.
Lee said delays were more serious at the Zhuhai port, where passengers still have to leave their vehicles and queue at border checkpoints while drivers handle procedures in the car. He said this could result in vehicles waiting for passengers and passengers waiting for vehicles, as well as traffic congestion, and suggested gradually extending “Smart Travel” to the Zhuhai port.
Lee said using new equipment for immigration clearance was acceptable, provided the authorities strengthened personal-data protection. Reports have linked the measure to the Chief Executive’s upcoming Policy Address, but formal confirmation, the December launch date and safeguards for facial-recognition and other personal data remain outstanding.