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Automated Passenger Clearance System
Since 16 December 2004, the Immigration Department has introduced the automated passenger clearance system (e-Channels) to members of the public. All existing passenger control points have been installed with e-Channels, including Hong Kong International Airport, Hung Hom, Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, Man Kam To, Sha Tau Kok, Shenzhen Bay, China Ferry Terminal, Macau Ferry Terminal and Tuen Mun Ferry Terminal. Currently, Hong Kong permanent residents (except those under the age of 11) or Hong Kong residents holding Document of Identity for Visa Purposes (DI) can use their smart identity cards to perform self-service immigration clearance. Since 12 September 2006, e-Channel service has been extended to people who have the right to land or are on unconditional stay in Hong Kong, and non-permanent residents who have been issued with a notification label. Since 18 December 2007, e-Channel service has been further extended to cross-boundary primary school students under the age of 11 at Lo Wu Control Point. From 19 May 2008 onwards, eligible frequent visitors can enjoy e-Channel service at the Airport Control Point. Meanwhile, please note that Hong Kong residents must bring along with them their valid travel documents when travelling.
To enter the e-Channel is simple. People just have to insert their smart identity cards with the side bearing the arrow and chip into the card reader. The system will take a while to perform mutual authentication with the smart identity card key. People can enter the e-Channel when the gate doors open. After entering the e-Channel, people just need to place their thumbs flat on the centre of scanners. After fingerprint verification they can leave the e-Channel.
Only one person is allowed to enter the e-Channel at any one time. While a person is performing fingerprint verification inside the e-Channel, the next one queuing in front of the e-Channel may insert his smart identity card into the reader.
The e-Channel system deploys fingerprint verification technology for authentication of a person's identity. To get good fingerprint image, people just need to place the thumb flat on the centre of the scanner. If people registered their smart identity cards with fingers other than thumbs, those fingers should be used for identity verification. Please refer to the simple guide to fingerprint verification below.
Please click here to view the workflow of self-service immigration clearance and important points to note.
Pilot Scheme on Express e-Channel
With effect from 3 March 2009, the Immigration Department commenced the pilot scheme on Express e-Channel at the Lo Wu Control Point.
The purpose of the pilot scheme is to provide faster self-service immigration clearance facility to Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above who are existing e-Channel users* and choose to enrol for using the Express e-Channel (*Note: Please click here for information on existing e-Channel users).
| Residents who choose to enrol for using the Express e-Channel may perform self-service enrolment and immigration clearance at the enrolment e-Channel upon their arrival in or departure from Hong Kong at the Lo Wu Control Point. Upon enrolment, residents are required to give consent to the Director of Immigration for retrieval of their personal data from the chip of the identity card and storage of these data at the back-end servers for subsequent automated passenger clearance. Upon confirmation of enrolment, a resident can enter the enrolment e-Channel for fingerprint verification to complete self-service enrolment and immigration clearance. Successfully enrolled residents can use the Express e-Channel for self-service immigration clearance when they travel through the Lo Wu Control Point. |
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In addition to the enrolment e-Channels, an enrolment office is set up at the Western Arrival Hall of the Lo Wu Control Point to provide assistance to residents who cannot complete self-service enrolment.
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The entrance of the Express e-Channel is installed with a document reader. An enrolled resident needs only place the card face of his smart identity card onto the document reader and pushes it inward to the upper edge. When he is prompted to take back the identity card, he can do so and enter the Express e-Channel for fingerprint verification. After successful fingerprint verification, he can leave the Express e-Channel. |
Please note that protective cover should be removed from the identity card before using the e-Channel. Besides, the card should be kept clean and in proper condition. Damaged, defaced or bent identity card may hinder the use of e-Channel. If one has applied for a new identity card, re-enrolment is required in order to continue the use of the clearance service at the Express e-Channel. If residents would like to enquire and alter enrolled personal data, please contact Duty Chief Immigration Officer at the Lo Wu Control Point. Residents who have enrolled for using Express e-Channel may apply to cancel the enrolled record by completing the application form for cancellation of enrolment for Express e-Channel service and hand it in person to our officers at any control point.
Please click here to view the workflow of self-service enrolment and immigration clearance at the Express e-Channel.
Frequent Visitor Automated Passenger Clearance System
Visitors aged 18 or above who hold a valid HKSAR Travel Pass, APEC Business Travel Card with the economy code " HKG " or Hong Kong International Airport ( HKIA ) Frequent Visitor Card, and who have successfully enrolled with the Immigration Department of HKSAR, are now able to enjoy self-service immigration clearance at the Hong Kong International Airport.
The enrolment office is located at the airport arrival hall. Enrolment is free of charge. The enrolment process includes recording of fingerprints, taking of a photograph, signing of an enrolment form and affixing a bar-code sticker to the travel document. For the purpose of enrolment, the visitor is required to present his valid HKSAR Travel Pass, APEC Business Travel Card or HKIA Frequent Visitor Card and his valid travel document and multiple visit visa (if applicable).
To perform self-service immigration clearance, the visitor is required to place his travel document into the document reader of the Frequent Visitor e-Channel. When the reading process finishes, the visitor can enter the e-Channel for fingerprint verification (please see the "Simple guide to fingerprint verification" in the earlier section). After successful verification, a label containing the conditions of stay of the visitor will be printed upon arrival. (No label will be printed upon departure.) After collecting the label, the visitor can leave the e-Channel. The label is to be affixed to a blank space of the visas page of the travel document.
If there is any change to the enrolled particulars, especially after the replacement of travel documents, visitors are reminded to approach the enrolment office to update the relevant information.
Please click here to view the workflow of self-service immigration clearance at Frequent Visitor e-Channel.
Please refer to the maps below for the locations of the Frequent Visitor e-Channel and the enrolment office.
Cross Boundary Student
Automated Passenger Clearance System
In order to provide more convenient immigration services to cross boundary primary school students, the Immigration Department has implemented the cross boundary student automated passenger clearance system (student e-Channels) at Lo Wu Control Point. Cross boundary primary school students under the age of 11, who are at least 1.1m tall, holding valid travel documents, with the written consent of their parents/guardians and having completed the enrollment process in advance, can perform self-service immigration clearance at the student e-Channels.
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The student is required to put his valid travel document into the document reader. Upon completion of the reading process and retrieval of the travel document, the gate door will open automatically. The student can enter through the gate and place his finger flat on the scanner and look at the camera for identify verification. Once the verification process is finished, the student can leave. |
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If there is any change to the registered particulars of the students, especially after the replacement of travel documents, parents/guardians are reminded to complete the application form for change of registered particulars (application form for change of registered particulars can be downloaded here), and submit to the staff of the Immigration Department at the control point for an update, in order to enable the students to continue to use student e-Channels. In addition, students who attain the age of 11 should perform self-service immigration clearance at the e-Channels with their new Hong Kong smart identity cards. For enquiry, please call 2294 2030 to contact our staff.
Please click here to view the workflow of self-service immigration clearance at student e-Channels.
Automated Vehicle Clearance System
Besides, the Immigration Department implemented the automated vehicle clearance system (vehicular e-Channels) on 21 April 2005. Currently all vehicular control points have been installed with vehicular e-Channels, including Lok Ma Chau, Man Kam To, Sha Tau Kok and Shenzhen Bay Control Point. Cross-boundary drivers who are Hong Kong permanent residents, Hong Kong residents holding Document of Identity for Visa Purposes (DI), people who have the right to land or are on unconditional stay in Hong Kong, or non-permanent residents who have been issued with a notification label, can use their smart identity cards to perform automated clearance at vehicular e-Channels. Meanwhile, please note that Hong Kong residents must bring along with them their valid travel documents when travelling.
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For the sake of faster and smoother clearance, in addition to fingerprint verification technology, vehicular e-Channel is also equipped with face recognition system. To use the e-Channel is simple. The drivers stop their vehicles before the white line of the channel. When the green traffic light of the e-Channel turns on, they can drive their vehicles into the channel. At the same time, the sensors at its two sides will control the checking station to move to the suitable height, enabling drivers to place the thumbs flat on the scanner and simultaneously look at the camera on the checking station. Both fingerprint verification and face recognition will be in progress at the same time for speeding up the clearance process. Upon completion of the clearance, they can drive their vehicles away. If the drivers encounter any problem, they can use the intercom of the checking station to contact the immigration staff.
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If the cross-boundary drivers registered their smart identity cards with fingers other than thumbs, those fingers should be used for identity verification. A driver with poor fingerprints may encounter difficulties in the verification process. To avoid delay, he may use traditional lanes for clearance.
In order to make use of the more convenient and speedy clearance process provided by the vehicular e-Channels, cross-boundary drivers need to submit a consent form to the Immigration Department and authorise the Director of Immigration to scrutinise and verify their personal particulars kept by the Registration of Persons Office. The consent form can be downloaded via our homepage (please refer to the consent form for detailed submission methods). Besides, cross-boundary drivers may perform electronic authorisation during clearance through the vehicular e-Channels. If any driver would like to cancel the electronic authorisation given or the authorisation that has been given through the submission of the consent form, please contact us at 2294 2030.
One Stop Customs and Immigration Clearance
At Shenzhen Bay Control Point, goods vehicle drivers can enjoy one stop mode of Customs and Immigration clearance. Please refer to the clearance procedures below.
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