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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.
Automated Passenger Clearance System for Hong Kong and Macao Residents
To further enhance immigration facilitation to Hong Kong and Macao residents, both the Hong Kong Immigration Department and the Macao Public Security Police Force Immigration Department have introduced the Automated Passenger Clearance System to Hong Kong and Macao residents on 10 December 2009. Eligible Hong Kong residents and Macao permanent residents may use the automated clearance service specially set up at Sheung Wan Macau Ferry Terminal, Tsim Sha Tsui China Ferry Terminal, Macao Border Control Subdivision of the Exterior Harbor and Macao Border Gate Control Point.
Hong Kong Residents' Enrolment for Macao Automated Passenger Clearance System
Hong Kong residents aged 11 or above holding valid Hong Kong permanent identity card or Hong Kong identity card containing '*', '***' or 'R' symbol may attend the Enrolment Office specially set up at the Immigration Hall and in the area before Immigration clearance at the Exterior Harbor Control Point or Taipa Ferry Terminal to enrol for the service. Once enrolled, they may use the Macao Automated Passenger Clearance System.
Eligible residents aged 18 or above may also use the self-service enrolment kiosks set up at the departure hall of Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan or China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui. Upon enrolment, registrant has to give consent to the Director of Immigration to retrieve the personal data from the chip of the identity card and capture his or her fingerprint templates for transmission to Macao Public Security Police Force Immigration Department for processing his or her enrolment for Macao Automated Passenger Clearance System (Please click here for Disclaimer). After completion of the enrolment process in Hong Kong, applicants may normally use the Macao autogates within five working days.
Eligible Hong Kong residents aged 11 to 17 are required to approach the Border Control Subdivision of the Exterior Harbor or the Taipa Ferry Terminal in Macao, accompanied by either parent or guardian and submit applicant's original copy of birth certificate and the Hong Kong identity card of father, mother or guardian (if accompanied by guardian, the original copy of legal authorisation letter or court order should be provided) for enrolment.
Re-enrolment is required if enrolled Hong Kong resident has replaced his or her identity card.
Cancellation of enrolment
Enrolled Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above may apply for cancellation of the enrolment by completing an application form and hand it in person to Macao Public Security Police Force Immigration Officer at any Border Control Subdivision in Macao. For enrolled Hong Kong residents aged 11-17, their parent or guardian should approach any Border Control Subdivision in Macao in person to complete an application form, hand it to Macao Public Security Police Force Immigration Officer and produce the Hong Kong identity card or passport together with the applicant's original copy of birth certificate or guardian's proof of relationship for identity verification.
Macao Residents' Enrolment for Hong Kong e-Channel: "Macao Resident e-Channel"
Macao permanent residents aged 11 or above holding valid Macao identity card may attend the Enrolment Office set up inside the immigration arrival hall at the Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan or China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui to enrol for the service.
Macao permanent residents aged 18 or above may perform self-service enrolment in Macao. After completion of the enrolment process in Macao, applicants may normally use the Hong Kong e-Channels within five working days.
Macao permanent residents aged between 11 and 17 are required to approach the Enrolment Office at the arrival hall of Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan or the China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui of Hong Kong with their parent or guardian. Applicant's original copy of birth certificate, the Macao identity card of accompanying father/mother or guardian should be provided for identity verification (Note: if accompanied by guardian, the original copy of legal authorisation letter or court order should be provided. Where the document is in Portuguese, it must be accompanied by a certified Chinese or English translation).
Re-enrolment is required if enrolled Macao resident has replaced his or her identity card (except the replacement is due to chip failure or expiry of identity card).
Workflow of using Hong Kong e-Channel
E-Channels for Macao residents are located at the Macau Ferry Terminal in Sheung Wan and the China Ferry Terminal in Tsim Sha Tsui. In using the e-Channel, successfully enrolled Macao permanent resident has to place his or her enrolled identity card onto the document reader at the top position. When the identity card reading process is finished, he or she will be able to enter the e-Channel for fingerprint verification. After successful fingerprint verification, a landing slip containing the conditions and limit of stay will be printed upon arrival (Note: No landing slip will be printed upon departure). After collecting the landing slip, the Macao resident can leave the e-Channel.
Cancellation of enrolment
Enrolled Macao residents aged 18 or above may apply for cancellation of the enrolment by completing the "Cancellation of Enrolment for Macao Resident e-Channel Service" application form and hand it in person to the immigration staff at any control point together with Macao permanent identity card or passport for identity verification. For cancellation of enrolment of enrolled Macao resident aged 11-17, his / her parent or guardian should complete the "Cancellation of Enrolment for Macao Resident e-Channel Service" application form, hand it in person to the immigration staff at any control point and produce the Macao identity card or passport together with the applicant's original copy of birth certificate or guardian's proof of relationship for identity verification.
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.
With effect from 7 September 2009, the self-service immigration clearance facilities have been extended to visitors holding Frequent Flyer Programme Membership Card issued by airlines which have joined this arrangement. Please enquire with your airline.
The enrolment offices are 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, HKIA Frequent Visitor Card or Frequent Flyer Programme Membership 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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