Hong Kong expands the scope of the e-Channel service

閱讀中文版本

Foreign domestic helpers, non-local students, and imported workers are now able to use the e-Channel service at all control points.

Hong Kong's Immigration Department (ImmD) has announced the extension of e-Channel service starting 21 July 2023. Foreign domestic helpers, non-local students, and imported workers are now able to use the e-Channel service at all control points in Hong Kong.

The above categories of Hong Kong residents who meet the following eligibility criteria can enrol for the e-Channel service:

1. Aged 11 or above;
2. Holders of foreign domestic helper, student or imported worker visas who have successfully activated their visas and completed the immigration clearance at the traditional counters upon arrival in Hong Kong;
3. Holders of Hong Kong smart identity card; and
4. The permitted conditions of stay is still valid.

Eligible Hong Kong residents may use the e-Channel service or the Contactless e-Channel service by simply downloading the ImmD's Contactless e-Channels mobile application free of charge for enrolment using a smart phone with biometric authentication technology. Upon completion of the enrolment, they can use their smart identity cards, or the encrypted QR code generated from the Contactless e-Channel mobile application, to enter the e-Channel, which will then be used in conjunction with facial recognition technology to verify their identity for automated immigration clearance.

For arrival clearance, a landing slip stipulating the condition and limit of stay of the Hong Kong resident will be printed by the e-Channel. After collecting the landing slip, the gate doors will open and the immigration clearance will be completed.

By expanding the scope of the e-Channel service, ImmD said more Hong Kong residents can enjoy the convenient and fast, automated immigration clearance service. The new service is estimated to benefit more than 420,000 foreign domestic helpers, non-local students and imported workers, and shorten the time of immigration clearance from 15 seconds to seven seconds.

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