25 Jun 2026
Macau Authorities Extend Smart Clearance Facial Recognition to Two More Ports
System Expansion Details
Macau authorities have scheduled the rollout of the Smart Clearance facial recognition system to Qingmao Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge Port at the Zhuhai-Macau checkpoint beginning Friday, June 27, while the original installation at Hengqin Port continues to process travelers, and this move brings automated clearance options to three major entry points serving residents from Macau, Hong Kong, and mainland China.
Eligible users include Macau residents, Hong Kong permanent residents, and mainland Chinese residents aged 14 and older, all of whom can complete clearance through face scans without presenting physical ID documents once they have registered for the system.
Current Performance at Hengqin Port
Data collected through June 24 shows the system at Hengqin Port has registered 310,000 users and has already handled more than 6.21 million passenger trips, which represents 42 percent of the total passenger volume at that location, and these figures demonstrate the scale of adoption since the November 2025 launch.
Observers note that the technology allows registered travelers to move through automated gates where cameras capture facial images and match them against stored records, thereby reducing teh need for manual document checks at participating checkpoints.
Who Can Use the System and How Registration Works
Authorities have limited participation to the three specified resident categories, and individuals must complete an initial registration process that links their facial data to their identity records before they can rely on the automated lanes, while those under age 14 remain outside the current eligibility rules.
Travelers who qualify can choose the facial recognition option at the new ports once the June 27 start date arrives, and the same process already operating at Hengqin will apply at Qingmao and the bridge checkpoint without requiring additional physical identification during clearance.
Operational Timeline and Coverage
The expansion follows a phased approach that began with Hengqin Port in late 2025, and officials have now confirmed that the two additional ports will activate the same capabilities on the stated June date, creating broader coverage across routes commonly used by cross-border commuters and visitors.
Each port will maintain the automated gates alongside traditional lanes, which means travelers who have not yet registered or who prefer conventional processing can continue using staffed counters while the facial recognition option runs in parallel.
Usage Statistics and Adoption Trends
Figures released for Hengqin indicate that more than four in ten passengers already rely on the Smart Clearance lanes, and the 310,000 registered accounts reflect steady enrollment growth since the system first became available, while authorities have cited these numbers when describing the decision to extend access to the other checkpoints.
People who have used the system report that the process involves standing briefly before a camera, after which the gate opens if the match succeeds, and this method has handled millions of trips without requiring travelers to remove documents from wallets or bags during each crossing.
Conclusion
The June 27 activation at Qingmao Port and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge checkpoint will bring the Smart Clearance facial recognition option to additional travelers who meet the age and residency requirements, and the existing performance data from Hengqin provides the baseline against which future volumes at the new locations can be measured.