HK: Contactless e-Channel service launched today

The Contactless e-Channel service is launched today (Dec. 1) at the Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and Shenzhen Bay control points.

The Immigration Department on Tuesday (Nov. 30) said this initiative aims to provide faster, more convenient travel and a more hygienic immigration clearance service for Hong Kong residents.

Eligible Hong Kong residents can use a smartphone with biometric authentication to download the Contactless e-Channel mobile app for enrolment.

After successful enrolment, residents can generate the encrypted QR code to enter the e-Channel and then verify their identity with the facial verification technology for automated immigration clearance.

Throughout the entire process, there is no need for people to touch any shared equipment, nor take out their Hong Kong identity card during the process.

The clearance procedure takes around seven seconds, which is one second faster than before.

There is an average of 10 channels for each control point.

Eligible Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above may also enrol directly at the Contactless e-Channel or in person at any of the e-Channel enrolment offices.

They may then use their smart identity cards to enter the e-Channel for automated immigration clearance using facial verification technology.

Eligible Hong Kong residents aged 11 to 17 must enrol with the consent of their parent or legal guardian for the new service.

Residents can still continue to use fingerprint verification technology for automated immigration clearance or traditional counters for immigration clearance.