Starting from July 15, all seven branches of the Immigration Department, as well as the department's Wan Chai headquarters, will remain open from 2pm to 9pm on both Saturdays, July 15 and 22.

This move is aimed at handing out a total of 10,000 travel documentsover the two Saturdays.

The decision to extend opening hours comes as Hong Kong residents rush to apply for new passports ahead of the city's summer holiday season.

With many travelers planning to take advantage of the extended weekend due to the recent change in the city's work schedule, the demand for travel documents has increased significantly.

In order to mitigate the long queues that have been forming at the Immigration Department, the government has implemented a mobile application that allows residents to apply for and collect their travel documents without having to visit the office in person.

However, with the demand for documents still exceeding expectations, the department has decided to extend its opening hours in order to better serve the public.

According to immigration officials, the extended opening hours will ensure that all residents who have applied for travel documents will be able to collect them in a timely and efficient manner.

The department has also urged residents to apply for their documents well in advance of their travel plans in order to avoid any last-minute inconveniences.

Overall, the move to extend opening hours at Hong Kong's immigration offices is a positive step towards addressing the increasing demand for travel documents.

With the city's tourism industry expected to see a boost this summer, the government will likely continue to explore ways to streamline the application process and ensure that all residents can obtain the documents they need in a timely and efficient manner.