Control Branch

Under the command of an Assistant Director, the Control Branch comprises the Airport Division, the Border (Rail) Division, the Border (Vehicles) Division and the Harbour Division. The Airport Division and the Border (Rail) Division are each headed by a Senior Principal Immigration Officer while the Border (Vehicles) Division and the Harbour Division are each headed by a Principal Immigration Officer. The divisions share responsibilities in maintaining immigration control by denying entry of undesirable persons and preventing wanted criminals from departure, and facilitating the mobility of travellers.

Organisation Chart of the Control Branch

Immigration Control Points

Unlike some parts of the world, the Immigration Department in Hong Kong examines every person passing in and out of Hong Kong, be it by air, land or sea. An effective immigration control is important towards maintaining law and order as well as the harmonious relationship with different nations and regions. Through immigration examination, wanted criminals are intercepted while undesirables are denied entry into Hong Kong. Persons who do not have the right of abode or the right to land in Hong Kong must fulfill normal immigration requirements when seeking to enter Hong Kong. These include the possession of valid travel documents, sufficient means of support and re-entry facilities to their countries of domicile. Passengers who cannot fulfill these requirements or whose bona fides as genuine visitors are in doubt will not be allowed to enter Hong Kong and will be repatriated. In 2011, 23 876 passengers were refused permission to land in Hong Kong.

The Department is committed to providing efficient and courteous services at control points and efforts are constantly made to facilitate travellers. This enables the tourists to have a pleasant and welcoming first impression as soon as they arrive in Hong Kong and have a good memory of Hong Kong as a warm and nice place.

The Immigration Department is committed to providing efficient and courteous service at control points.

Airport Division

The Airport Division is responsible for exercising immigration control at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

Passenger Traffic

The HKIA is one of the busiest airports in the world. In 2011, 35.5 million landing and departing passengers used the HKIA.

In 2011, 35.5 million landing and departing passengers used the HKIA.

With effect from January 2010, the Airport Division has enhanced its performance pledge. The new pledge is to clear 98 per cent of residents and 95 per cent of visitors within 15-minute waiting time. In 2011, 100 per cent of residents and 98.1 per cent of visitors were cleared within 15-minute waiting time in the Airport.

Spot Checks

To prevent the entry of undesirable persons and deter illegal migration activities, the Airport Division from time to time conducts spot checks on passengers in the arrival and departure halls, transit lounge, transfer areas and boarding gates. In 2011, 327 persons were intercepted for investigation in the Airport for activities related to fraudulent passports and visas.

Customer Service

To provide facilitation to the travelling public, ‘Single Service Points’ were established at all immigration halls in the HKIA in November 2006. Each of the Single Service Points serves the functions of ‘Courtesy Channel’ for holders of diplomatic passports and passengers requiring assistance, and as ‘Frequent Visitor Channel’ for frequent travellers who have visited Hong Kong via the HKIA three times or more in the preceding 12 months, and who have been issued with a Frequent Visitor Card by the Airport Authority Hong Kong. As at December 31, 2011, the Airport Authority has issued 87 020 HKIA Frequent Visitor Cards.

‘Courtesy Channel’ and ‘Frequent Visitor Channel’ facilitate faster passenger clearance for diplomatic passport holders, frequent visitors and passengers in need of assistance.

Business Aviation Centre

To meet the demand for business aviation service, the Business Aviation Centre was set up to provide travel convenience to users of private or chartered aircrafts. Business travellers benefit most from the dedicated immigration clearance services provided on a user-pay basis. In 2011, a total of 6 505 aircrafts and 44 760 travellers and crew used the centre.

The SkyPier

The SkyPier, a cross-boundary passenger ferry terminal for transit passengers located at the HKIA, provides direct air-sea link between the HKIA and eight ports in the Pearl River Delta (PRD), namely Nansha of Guangzhou, Shekou and Fuyong of Shenzhen, Humen of Dongguan, Zhongshan, Jiuzhou of Zhuhai, Macao Maritime Ferry Terminal and Taipa. Transit passengers using the SkyPier services enjoy travel convenience at the Airport without having to go through regular immigration and customs formalities. There are 73 participating airlines that provide check-in services at the SkyPier. In 2011, more than 1.66 million arriving and 0.73 million departing transit passengers made use of the SkyPier.

To further enhance the service, cross-boundary one-stop check-in services are available at Shekou, Fuyong, Humen and Macao Maritime Ferry Terminal. Passengers can obtain their boarding passes and check in their luggage for direct transfer from ferries using the SkyPier to their designated flights at the HKIA. Currently, there are 10 airlines participated in providing the service.

Frequent Visitor e-Channel

From May 19, 2008 onwards, visitors aged 18 or above who hold a valid HKSAR Travel Pass, APEC Business Travel Card with the economy code ‘HKG’ or HKIA Frequent Visitor Card and who have successfully enrolled with the Immigration Department of HKSAR, are able to enjoy self-service immigration clearance at the HKIA. A total of 10 Frequent Visitor e-Channels, 6 at the arrival halls and 4 at the departure halls, are installed. From September 7, 2009 the Frequent Visitor e-Channel service has been extended to selected members of Frequent Flyer Programmes of designated airlines which had joined this arrangement. As at December 31, 2011, 67 630 frequent visitors have enrolled for the service. 603 308 arriving and 532 705 departing passengers have made use of the self-service immigration clearance.

The enrolment offices are located at the airport arrival hall. Enrolment is free of charge.

Eligible frequent visitors who have successfully enrolled with the Department are able to enjoy self-service immigration clearance.

Border (Rail) Division

The Border (Rail) Division comprises three control points located at Lo Wu, Hung Hom and Lok Ma Chau Spur Line. The Lo Wu and Lok Ma Chau Spur Line control points handle passengers conveyed by the MTR. The Hung Hom Control Point provides immigration clearance service for passengers who take through-trains running between the Mainland and Hong Kong.

Lo Wu Control Point

Being the busiest immigration control point in the territory with the highest passenger traffic, the Lo Wu Control Point handled 93 million passengers in 2011 with an increase of 1.6 per cent as compared to 2010. Nevertheless, among all the passengers, 20 million were visitors with 15 per cent upsurge from 2010.

Express e-Channels at Lo Wu Control Point provide faster e-Channel service to enrolled Hong Kong residents.

The traffic at the Lo Wu Control Point was extremely busy on festive days. In 2011, the daily average passenger traffic was around 250 000. During weekends or festive periods, the daily passenger figure could be above 300 000. To cope with the huge traffic demand during festive periods, the Department arranged extra manpower from other sections to reinforce the Lo Wu Control Point. In 2011, 99.7 per cent of passengers were cleared within 30 minutes.

Eligible Mainland visitors may enrol for e-Channel service at Lo Wu Control Point from December 5, 2011.

To expedite the clearance of cross-boundary students (CBS), six designated e-Channels for CBS have been put into operation at the Lo Wu Control Point. To facilitate Mainland frequent visitors travelling to Hong Kong, free enrolment service for e-Channels has been provided for these visitors at the Lo Wu and other designated Control Points including Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, Shenzhen Bay, China Ferry Terminal, Macau Ferry Terminal and Hong Kong International Airport with effective from December 5, 2011. Eligible and enrolled frequent visitors can enjoy self-service immigration clearance starting from January 3, 2012 at the six Control Points.

Designated e-Channels are set up for cross-boundary students at Lo Wu Control Point.

Hung Hom Control Point

The Hung Hom Control Point provides clearance services for travellers taking through-trains to and from the Mainland. The daily 26 runs of through-trains to and from the Mainland serve Dongguan, Guangzhou, Foshan and Zhaoqing of Guangdong province, as well as Shanghai and Beijing. Passenger figure in 2011 reached 3.9 million, representing an increase of 16.6 per cent over the previous year. In 2011, 99.9 per cent of passengers were cleared within 30 minutes.

Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point

The control point is situated at Lok Ma Chau Terminus of the East Rail Line of MTR and is another boundary control point that can be used by rail passengers. A Public Transport Interchange adjacent to the Terminus caters for cross-boundary passengers using franchised buses, public light buses and taxis. The control point is linked to the Futian Port of Shenzhen by a two-level passenger bridge.

In 2011, over 34.1 million passengers passed through this control point. An escalating trend has been observed in passenger traffic since its commissioning. The daily average number of passengers in 2011 was 93 633, while the average number of passengers in 2010 was 79 091, indicating 18.4 per cent of increase in figure. In 2011, 99.1 per cent of passengers were cleared within 30 minutes.

The Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point commenced operation on August 15, 2007 and is linked to the Futian Port of Shenzhen by a two-level passenger bridge.

Immigration clearance hall at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point

Border (Vehicles) Division

Vehicular e-Channels at control points provide speedy clearance service for cross-boundary drivers.

The Border (Vehicles) Division comprises four control points located at Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To, Sha Tau Kok and Shenzhen Bay. These immigration control points provide immigration clearance services for vehicular traffic and passengers travelling to and from the Mainland by shuttle bus (at Lok Ma Chau only), coaches or private cars.

Lok Ma Chau Control Point

With its commissioning on July 1, 2007, the Shenzhen Bay Control Point has diverted some of the cross-boundary traffic of the Lok Ma Chau Control Point. In 2011, the vehicle throughput at the Lok Ma Chau Control Point was 9.7 million. Amongst which, the private car throughput was 3.8 million, representing an increase of 3.9 per cent when compared with 2010. In 2011, 31.4 million passengers travelled through the Lok Ma Chau Control Point, including 8.9 million visitors which representing 28.4 per cent of the passenger mix. In 2011, around 99 per cent of passengers were cleared within 30 minutes.

24-hour Boundary Crossing for Passengers at Lok Ma Chau Control Point

The Lok Ma Chau Control Point has been providing round-the-clock passenger clearance service since January 27, 2003. In 2011, a daily average of over 13 900 passengers had travelled through the control point during the overnight period (midnight to 6:30 a.m.). The overnight passenger traffic rose beyond 16 800 during weekends or public holidays.

Improvement works at Lok Ma Chau Passenger Clearance Building commenced in November 2011 and the whole project is targeted for completion in 2013 by phases. Upon completion of the works, the number of e-Channels will be increased from the current 20 to 33, while the facilities of relevant Departments will also be enhanced.

Man Kam To Control Point

Man Kam To Control Point

As the Shenzhen Wenjindu Port Passenger Clearance Area had been closed for reconstruction since February 22, 2010, the passenger clearance services at Man Kam To Control Point were suspended correspondingly though goods vehicles and the cross-boundary student clearance services remained available. To meet public needs during reconstruction, limited services of cross-boundary coach operating between Sheung Shui and Wenjindu Port Area have been maintained daily from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. since March 27, 2010. In 2011, 170 000 passengers travelled through the Man Kam To Control Point, representing a decrease of about 66 per cent over 2010. In 2011, all passengers travelled via the Man Kam To Control Point were cleared within 30 minutes.

The improvement works at the passenger terminal of Man Kam To Control Point commenced in early 2011 and is scheduled for completion in 2012. Upon completion of the works, the number of e-Channels will be doubled from the current 9 to 18.

Sha Tau Kok Control Point

Sha Tau Kok Control Point

The Sha Tau Kok Control Point operates daily between 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. providing immigration clearance services to cross-boundary vehicles and passengers. Passengers mainly travel by coaches, hire cars or private cars running between the Mainland and Hong Kong. In 2011, 3.1 million passengers travelled through the Sha Tau Kok Control Point, representing an increase of about 8 per cent over 2010. In 2011, all passengers were cleared within 30 minutes.

Starting from July 1, 2009, the daily operating hours of Sha Tau Kok Control Point were extended by two hours in the evening. The new operating hours are from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. The new arrangement makes border-crossing more convenient for passengers and freight operators.

A trial scheme of on-board clearance for cross-boundary students was implemented in the Sha Tau Kok Control Point in August 2009. Currently, seven scheduled coaches operating between the North District of the New Territories and Shenzhen to convey cross-boundary students of two kindergartens in the North District are covered by the scheme. In 2011, a daily average of 242 students travelled through Sha Tau Kok Control Point under this scheme.

Shenzhen Bay Control Point

Shenzhen Bay Control Point

The Shenzhen Bay Control Point is the first boundary control point providing ‘Co-location of Boundary Crossing Facilities’ to both passenger and vehicular traffic between Hong Kong and the Mainland.

With the co-location arrangement, much time is saved as passengers conveyed by coaches will only have to get on and off the vehicles once instead of twice when going through immigration clearance at both immigration authorities within the Passenger Terminal Building. For each vehicular clearance kiosk, staff of both Immigration Department and Customs and Excise Department is housed in two closely adjoining compartments, facilitating the provision of one-stop clearance services to cross-boundary vehicles.

The control point operates from 6:30 a.m. to midnight. At present, there are various cross-boundary coaches providing transportation services between Hong Kong and the Mainland. The Public Transport Interchange in the Hong Kong Port Area also provides transportation services of urban/New Territories taxi, franchised bus and franchised public light bus.

The daily average passenger crossings at the Shenzhen Bay Control Point increased continuously from 58 600 in 2010 to 68 600 in 2011, showing an increase of nearly 17 per cent.

The daily average vehicular traffic was 9 500 in 2011, increased by 8.4 per cent when compared with the daily average of 8 800 in 2010. Among these vehicles, 66 per cent were private cars, 26 per cent were goods vehicles and the rest were coaches.

Traffic statistics showed that the Shenzhen Bay Control Point is becoming popular among cross-boundary passengers and plays a vital role in relieving the burden of other border control points. In 2011, more than 98 per cent of passengers were cleared within 30 minutes.

Harbour Division

The Harbour Division is responsible for providing immigration services to people travelling through the ports of Hong Kong. There are four sections under the command of the Harbour Division, namely the Harbour Control Section, the Macau Terminal Section, the China Ferry Terminal Section and the Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal Section.

Harbour Control Section

Immigration Launch

One of the duties of the Harbour Control Section is to conduct immigration clearance on incoming and outgoing vessels at the two designated immigration anchorages, namely, the Eastern Quarantine and Immigration Anchorage and the Western Quarantine and Immigration Anchorage. In 2011, the Harbour Control Section cleared a total of 182 291 vessels, representing an increase of 0.2 per cent over the year of 2010.

Besides, the Harbour Control Section is responsible for handling cases concerning repatriation and emergency discharge of seamen, deserters, stowaways, etc. To step up a post-entry enforcement mechanism, the Ship Searching Unit of the section conducts searches and spot checks on vessels in Hong Kong waters regularly to ensure that all incoming vessels comply with the immigration requirements.

The Ship Searching Unit conducts spot checks on vessels in Hong Kong waters to combat illicit immigration activities.

The unit comprises four operation teams and one intelligence and logistics support team. The operation teams are responsible for conducting searches and spot checks on vessels in Hong Kong waters for the detection of evading immigration examination cases, forgeries, illegal immigrants, overstayers, etc. Ad hoc operations and searches are conducted by the unit to strengthen immigration control at sea and combat illicit immigration activities. The intelligence and logistics support team is responsible for the collection and analysis of relevant information and intelligence.

Pre-arrival Clearance Scheme

To facilitate the cargo and logistics industry, the Pre-arrival Clearance Scheme has been launched for years. Approved vessels can proceed directly to berths or terminals for cargo operations without having to wait for immigration clearance at the anchorages. In 2011, 25 891 ocean-going vessels and 54 295 Mainland river or coastal trade vessels were approved under this Scheme prior to their entry to Hong Kong.

The arrangement helps save much of the operational costs and time. It also helps develop and promote Hong Kong’s position as a preferred international and regional transportation and logistics hub.

Macau Terminal Section

In 2011, a total of 17.9 million passengers had travelled to and from Macao and some nearby ports of Guangdong Province via the Macau Ferry Terminal. The total figure had slightly increased by 3.2 per cent as compared to that in the preceding year. The terminal was the busiest immigration check point among all harbour control points. Majority of the passengers were Hong Kong residents, accumulated to about 65 per cent of the passenger traffic which is approximately 11.6 million, while the visitor ratio had been increasing gradually in the recent years. The terminal operates round-the-clock with about 300 daily sailings between Hong Kong and Macao or the Mainland. There is also helicopter service between Hong Kong and Macao with about 50 flights per day.

A total of 46 e-Channels, including 8 for Macao permanent residents, are in operation.

Macau Ferry Terminal

8 e-Channels are set up at the Macau Ferry Terminal to provide service to eligible Macao permanent residents.

China Ferry Terminal Section

The Section provides immigration clearance to passengers travelling by vessels between Hong Kong and the Mainland or Macao at the China Ferry Terminal. Besides, the Section also deploys officers to provide immigration clearance service to Hong Kong based cruise liners berthing at the Ocean Terminal.

In 2011, the China Ferry Terminal handled a daily average of 129 sailings between Hong Kong and Macao or the Mainland. In the same year, 8.42 million passengers were processed by the China Ferry Terminal Section, which included 0.66 million cruise passengers, representing an increase of 6.3 per cent over 2010. Among the passengers, 45.7 per cent were visitors.

At present, 22 e-Channels are in operation at the China Ferry Terminal to provide self-service immigration clearance for passengers.

Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal Section

Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal

The Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal Section provides immigration clearance to passengers at the Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal by its Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal Sub-section. Its River Trade Terminal Sub-section provides immigration clearance to Mainland river or coastal trade vessels.

Following the approval by the relevant authorities, the operator of the Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal started to provide ferry services to and from Macao from April 15, 2011. In 2011, 255 006 passengers were processed by the Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal Sub-section. Among all passengers, 95 per cent were Hong Kong residents. During the year, all passengers were cleared within 30 minutes.

With effect from July 6, 2011, successfully enrolled Macao permanent residents might enjoy e-Channel service at the three e-channels at the arrival and departure hall respectively.

The River Trade Terminal Sub-section provides round-the-clock immigration clearance to Mainland river or coastal trade vessels at the Tuen Mun Immigration Anchorage so as to relieve the heavy traffic at Ma Wan Channel and facilitate trade activities. In 2011, a daily average of 90 vessels were cleared at the Tuen Mun Immigration Anchorage. The terminal also deals with repatriation and emergency discharge of seamen, deserters, stowaways, etc.