Hong Kong and Macau - Expected wait to clear immigration at HKG

I will be arriving at HKG on CX881-LAX with an arrival time of 07:15. What is the typical wait for immigration clearance (non-resident) at this time? When are the peak and shortest wait times for immigration clearance at HKG? Any difference in wait times between weekend arrivals vs. weekdays? My one arrival into HKG was on CX807 from ORD (arrival 20:00) and the wait was about 30 minutes to clear immigration. I assume this was not a peak time. Thanks,

Thread not really related to CX or Asiamiles. So am moving to HK Forum.

Thx

Guy Betsy
Cathay Pacific Asia Miles forum co-mod

I have but one data point to offer, but I was on that flight in December. It took at least 45 minutes to clear Immigration, which is the longest I've had to wait in any country in at least 10 years. It surprised me, as I generally view Hong Kong as being efficient.

I've been through HK Immigration 3 times in the last year, all at around 7PM.

I would estimate a duration of 30 to 75 minutes. The longer time is if you get stuck behind a crowd for a flight from a country that HK immigration is suspicious of.

I would recommend hurrying from your flight to immigration to try to get to the ahead of the crowd. Be sure to have your HK immigration documents filled out before you get to the head of the line.

Once you are through immigration, if you have nothing to declare for customs, you can pick up your bags and proceed as fast as you can walk.

There aren't too many flights that arrive that early in the morning, so the wait would be minimal I think.

I was there around noon and the queue was way long... Best to avoid noon time hehe...:D

HK residents line is about 6 minutes off of CX889.
Frequent visitors is 3-4 minutes.
I can't comment on non residents as I haven't entered on my Canadian passport for a visit (only once and that was so I could participate in a foreigner targeted promo).

I have but one data point to offer, but I was on that flight in December. It took at least 45 minutes to clear Immigration, which is the longest I've had to wait in any country in at least 10 years. It surprised me, as I generally view Hong Kong as being efficient.

You've obvioulsy not been through LHR recently :D

I doubt there is a whole lot going on in the early morning. My experience when arriving in the afternoon, it is up to 15 minutes to get through. When arriving very late (comparable to the OP's arrival time in the early morning), it was less then 5 minutes from airplane door through immigration / customs to bus terminal (handluggage that is)

HK residents line is about 6 minutes off of CX889.
Frequent visitors is 3-4 minutes.
I can't comment on non residents as I haven't entered on my Canadian passport for a visit (only once and that was so I could participate in a foreigner targeted promo).

Off of CX879 around 7:05 several days ago.

Traveling with SO, and couldn't use the Frequent Visitors line. :( The regular line took about 15 minutes.

Off of CX879 around 7:05 several days ago.

Traveling with SO, and couldn't use the Frequent Visitors line. :( The regular line took about 15 minutes.

Without that card it's not worth going all the way there just to have lunch.
I just wait for my bags on arrival because that usually takes longer.

Traveling with SO, and couldn't use the Frequent Visitors line. :(

Were you turned away, or did you not try? FWIW, when I had a valid frequent visitor card I never had trouble taking guests with me. Even now that my card is expired, I occasionally go through the frequent visitor line with a guest; showing my automatic clearance barcode to the frequent visitor line dragon has done the trick every time I've attempted this.

Were you turned away, or did you not try? FWIW, when I had a valid frequent visitor card I never had trouble taking guests with me. Even now that my card is expired, I occasionally go through the frequent visitor line with a guest; showing my automatic clearance barcode to the frequent visitor line dragon has done the trick every time I've attempted this.

I didn't try. I looked at the regular line (to the left) and it was short (2 lines deep) so since I had checked bags this trip, I decided to not risk it because I would have to wait about 15 minutes or so for those bags. Also, we just got off the train from the 40 gates and people were starting to "mass" up the escalator behind us (since we were first up it) and I just didn't want to roll the dice.

Needed to get to the JW before the cocktail hour ends at 8:30!! :D Made with 15 minutes to spare. 1:10 time from Plane, through customs, to train (almost a 10 minute wait) to H1 shuttle (no wait). Not bad...

Thanks for the information you mentioned above. I will try this next time when the conditions are such (i.e. a long regular line). ^

Were you turned away, or did you not try? FWIW, when I had a valid frequent visitor card I never had trouble taking guests with me. Even now that my card is expired, I occasionally go through the frequent visitor line with a guest; showing my automatic clearance barcode to the frequent visitor line dragon has done the trick every time I've attempted this.

You don't have to say occasionally when you're not a frequent visitor :D