The Transport Department has announced that registration for the 81st round of the computer ballot for the Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles scheme will open at 10am on Monday, June 15, and close at 11.59pm on Thursday, June 18.
The ballot result is scheduled to be announced on Friday, June 19. Eligible applicants may register through the dedicated scheme website at www.hzmbqfs.gov.hk, the Transport Department said. Successful applicants will be required to submit their scheme applications within a designated period following the ballot result.
The Northbound Travel for Hong Kong Vehicles scheme, launched in July 2023, allows private cars registered in Hong Kong to drive across the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge into Guangdong Province. The scheme operates through a computer ballot system that allocates quotas on a regular basis, with each round providing a set number of permits for cross-boundary travel.
Since its launch, the scheme has seen consistently high demand from Hong Kong motorists seeking to drive into the mainland for leisure, business, and family visits. The Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, which opened in 2018, spans approximately 55 kilometres and connects Hong Kong with Macao and the mainland city of Zhuhai, significantly reducing travel time between the Pearl River Delta cities.
Eligible applicants must hold a valid Hong Kong private car registration and a Hong Kong driving licence, among other requirements. The application process involves multiple steps including vehicle inspection, insurance arrangements, and obtaining the necessary permit for mainland travel. The Transport Department has published detailed guidelines on the scheme website for first-time applicants.
The scheme is part of broader efforts to facilitate greater integration of the Greater Bay Area, which encompasses Hong Kong, Macao, and nine cities in Guangdong Province. Improved transport links under the framework have aimed to strengthen economic cooperation and people-to-people connectivity across the region. The Northbound Travel scheme specifically addresses demand from Hong Kong residents who wish to use private vehicles for cross-border trips rather than relying solely on public transport options such as cross-border buses and ferries.
Each round of balloting typically attracts thousands of applicants, reflecting sustained interest in the scheme. The Transport Department has periodically reviewed and adjusted the quota allocation process in response to demand patterns and operational experience. The scheme has also been complemented by the Southbound Travel for Guangdong Vehicles scheme, which allows vehicles from Guangdong to enter Hong Kong, creating a two-way cross-boundary traffic arrangement.
The Transport Department reminded applicants to ensure all documentation is in order before submitting their ballot registration. Applicants are advised to register early within the four-day window to avoid any last-minute technical issues. The department also noted that successful applicants who fail to submit their scheme applications within the designated period will forfeit their quota and must re-enter the ballot in a future round.
The 81st round continues the regular cycle of quota allocations that has operated since the scheme's inception. With the scheme now in its third year of operation, it has become an established part of cross-boundary travel options for Hong Kong residents, alongside existing rail, bus, and ferry services connecting the city with mainland China.
Sources: HKSAR Government
