Immigration Department to introduce Seamless e-Channel service
In the 2025 Policy Address, the Chief Executive proposed establishing Hong Kong's first "seamless clearance" pilot scheme at the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Boundary Crossing (HKZMB Hong Kong Boundary Crossing) in the second quarter of 2026. The Immigration Department (ImmD) announced today (June 11) that a Seamless e-Channel service will be launched on June 25. From that date, enrolled eligible Hong Kong permanent residents will be able to enjoy "on-the-move" self-service departure clearance seamlessly by employing AI and facial recognition technology at the departure hall of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) Hong Kong Port without the need to present a Hong Kong identity card or an e-Channel QR code.
Hong Kong permanent residents aged 11 or above holding a valid smart identity card and have arrived in or departed from Hong Kong via the Passenger Clearance Building of the HZMB Hong Kong Port 10 times or more in the past 90 days are eligible to enrol in the Seamless e-Channel service. Starting from today (June 11), eligible Hong Kong residents can use a smartphone with biometric authentication to download the ImmD's Contactless e-Channel mobile application for enrolment. Eligible Hong Kong permanent residents aged 11 to 17 must enrol with the consent of their parent or legal guardian.
When performing departure clearance, upon entering the Seamless e-Channel, enrolled Hong Kong permanent residents only need to face forwards, pass through the Seamless e-Channel at a normal walking pace and maintain an appropriate distance from other users. The departure process is completed without the need to stop or present any travel document or e-Channel QR code.
The ImmD reminds that enrolled Hong Kong permanent residents must still carry a valid Hong Kong identity card when using the Seamless e-Channel Service. Moreover, residents can continue to use other e-Channels or traditional counters for immigration clearance.
For details of the Seamless e-Channel service, please visit the ImmD's website atwww.immd.gov.hk/sec. For enquiries, please call the enquiry hotline at 2824 6111, fax to 2877 7711 or send an email atenquiry@immd.gov.hk.
Source: AI-found images
HyD awards design and construction consultancy agreement for Northern Metropolis Highway (San Tin Section) and commences tender preparation work
The Highways Department (HyD) today (June 11) signed a design and construction consultancy agreement with the AECOM Asia Company Limited and AtkinsRealis Asia Limited Joint Venture for the Northern Metropolis Highway (San Tin Section) (the Project) to commence critical tasks including the preparation of reference design and tender documents for the Project, marking a prominent milestone of the Project toward the construction stage. The professional team formed by the Joint Venture also comprises Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute (Group) Co., Ltd., Mannings (Asia) Consultants Limited, an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and professional members from various other disciplines. Leveraging successful experiences of local and international projects, the Joint Venture will refine the design of the Project, thereby further bolstering its overall cost-effectiveness and construction efficiency.
The Northern Metropolis Highway (NMH) is the largest single road project being undertaken in Hong Kong, spanning approximately 24 kilometres (km) in total length, which is equivalent to approximately five times the length of the Central Kowloon Bypass (Yau Ma Tei Section). The HyD commenced the investigation study for the entire NMH in March last year and has accorded priority to taking forward the approximately 9 km-long San Tin Section in accordance with the principle of "Holistic Planning and Phased Implementation". Over the past 15 months since the commencement of the investigation study, the project team has been closely collaborating with relevant Government departments in progressively completing a series of critical tasks, including optimisation of the NMH alignment within three months as planned and subsequent endorsement by the Project Steering Group comprising more than 15 policy bureaux and departments, completion of the environmental impact assessment for the San Tin Section (including a 12-month ecological survey spanning across dry and wet seasons) with the application for environmental permit being considered by the Environmental Protection Department, and completion of a series of public consultation exercises followed by gazettal of the road scheme for the San Tin Section in accordance with statutory procedures. The overall progress of the Project has exceeded initial expectations.
A spokesman for the HyD said, "To tie in with the development of San Tin Technopole and Ngau Tam Mei area, we will accord priority to taking forward the San Tin Section of the NMH, with the target of achieving the technical readiness for tendering next year. Furthermore, we plan to widely adopt the Design and Build procurement approach for the works contracts, enabling contractors to concurrently commence detailed design and advance works, and to leverage their technical expertise with greater flexibility, with a view to further accelerating the construction programme and reducing the cost. We have also maintained close communications with the construction industry, including local and international contractors and professional bodies, to harness industry expertise in refining the design and introducing innovative technologies, thereby further enhancing cost-effectiveness of the Project. With the optimised alignment and the contract procurement approach, we are confident that the San Tin Section can be commissioned ahead of the original target of 2036."
HyD awards design and construction consultancy agreement for Northern Metropolis Highway (San Tin Section) and commences tender preparation work Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases
