Fast lanes in use for cross-border travel

At the bustling Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint yesterday morning, a mainland resident surnamed Xu was pleasantly surprised to discover that he could enjoy the fast-lane service with his passport for seamless border crossing.

“I’m traveling abroad for an international exhibition. I had thought it would take me a while to cross the border; however, I was able to use the e-channel with my passport,” Xu said.

A mainland resident has his passport scanned when using an e-channel to cross the border to Hong Kong at Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint yesterday. Photos by Peng Minling

The measure is in line with the country’s commitment to facilitating cross-border travel. According to a notice released by the National Immigration Administration recently, China has reinstated fast-lane services at all of its ports starting from yesterday.

As per the notice, Chinese nationals are now allowed to use fast lanes for expedited border inspection with various travel documents. These include Chinese ordinary passports, exit-entry permits for travel to and from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, mainland travel permits for Hong Kong and Macao residents, five-year mainland travel permits for Taiwan residents, and multiple entry permits valid for one year.

Foreigners can also benefit from the service by using their passports or electronic passports, China-issued foreign permanent resident ID cards, and residence permits with a validity period of more than six months.

Yesterday morning, a foreign traveler identified as Sofia, traveling all the way from Spain, entered Shenzhen smoothly via an electronic channel at Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint. Guided by a border policeman, Sofia had her information collected before using the fast-lane service. “I work in a foreign trade company requiring me to frequently travel between China and European countries. The new measure provides me with great convenience. China is open and inclusive,” Sofia said joyfully.

A view of travelers crossing the border through the e-channels at Shenzhen Bay Checkpoint yesterday. 

Shenzhen Bay Entry and Exit Inspection Station has implemented several measures to ensure the efficiency and security of the fast-lane services. In the fast-lane area, the inspection station has arranged officers to guide and assist travelers. The inspection station has also conducted maintenance, renovation, and updates to the fast-lane service equipment, including devices that read document information and recognize biometric data, aiming to provide travelers with enhanced services.

In addition to fast-lane services, the country has also simplified the process for mainland residents to apply for group travel permits to Hong Kong and Macao, further facilitating cross-border travel.

Under the new policies, Shenzhen residents without Guangdong household registrations or Shenzhen permanent residence permits can now apply for group travel permits to Hong Kong and Macao in Shenzhen. Previously, they were required to apply at their household registration places. The change allows them to follow the same procedure in Shenzhen as they would at their household registration locations.

The Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau advised citizens to avoid peak periods when applying for Hong Kong and Macao travel permits, as there is anticipated high demand for permit applications in Shenzhen.