Passport applications reach record high in 2023

The government received more than 1.45 million passport applications last year.

Hong Kong received over 1.45 million passport applications in 2023, with over 195,000 applications recorded in March, a yearly and monthly record high since July 1997.

Meanwhile, the Immigration Department (ImmD) also reported that it conducted  13,370 immigration inspections and intercepted 23,464 passengers for enquiries in 2023.

In October 2023, the government relaxed the visa policy for Vietnamese talent and tourists applying for multiple-journey visas to visit Hong Kong. It has also allowed Nepalese and Laotian talent to work and study full-time in local institutions.

In the same month, the government assisted 59 Hong Kong residents in Palestine and Israel to return to Hong Kong safely. In February 2023, the government sent a rescue team to Turkey to take part in the earthquake rescue mission, marking the first overseas rescue operation conducted by Hong Kong SAR.

In 2024, the government will relocate offices and facilities to the new headquarters in Tseung Kwan O in phases starting in March this year. 

The headquarters will begin operations on 11 June.

The government will also implement a new measure to attract and retain talent and is planning to introduce an advanced 1868 hotline system.