Alongside its holiday traffic forecast, the Immigration Department quietly confirmed on December 23 that its Contactless e-Channel system is now operational at all control points—including airport, land and seaports—after two years of phased trials. Eligible Hong Kong residents can pre-generate an encrypted QR code on the ImmD app, scan it at the gate and complete face-recognition verification in under 20 seconds without touching any surfaces—a hygiene benefit welcomed by frequent flyers.
The contactless channel is also open to visitors: holders of electronic travel documents aged seven or above may use the ‘Smart Departure’ lanes without prior enrolment. In addition, PRC electronic passport holders transiting through Hong Kong, and holders of the Mainland’s Electronic Exit-Entry Permit (e-EEP), can use automated lanes via face- or fingerprint-matching. Together, these measures should shave minutes off each transaction and raise total hourly throughput during the Christmas peak.
![Contactless immigration clearance expanded as Hong Kong rolls out QR-code ‘Smart Departure’ for visitors and residents]()
Before heading to the checkpoint, many travellers also take a moment to confirm their visa or entry-permit status. VisaHQ’s Hong Kong portal (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) streamlines that process, allowing users to apply online for visas, renew passports and arrange supporting documents in a few clicks—efficiency that dovetails neatly with the new contactless e-Channel experience.
Technology vendors note that Hong Kong is the first Asian hub to combine QR token entry with dual-mode biometric verification across all checkpoints. For corporates managing group travel, the advice is to have staff download the ImmD mobile app in advance, generate the QR code before arriving at the gate and ensure younger travellers meet the 1.1-metre height requirement.
ImmD said feedback from trial users shows a 30 % reduction in processing time compared with conventional e-Channels, freeing officers to focus on exceptional-case screening and crowd flow management.
The contactless channel is also open to visitors: holders of electronic travel documents aged seven or above may use the ‘Smart Departure’ lanes without prior enrolment. In addition, PRC electronic passport holders transiting through Hong Kong, and holders of the Mainland’s Electronic Exit-Entry Permit (e-EEP), can use automated lanes via face- or fingerprint-matching. Together, these measures should shave minutes off each transaction and raise total hourly throughput during the Christmas peak.
Before heading to the checkpoint, many travellers also take a moment to confirm their visa or entry-permit status. VisaHQ’s Hong Kong portal (https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/) streamlines that process, allowing users to apply online for visas, renew passports and arrange supporting documents in a few clicks—efficiency that dovetails neatly with the new contactless e-Channel experience.
Technology vendors note that Hong Kong is the first Asian hub to combine QR token entry with dual-mode biometric verification across all checkpoints. For corporates managing group travel, the advice is to have staff download the ImmD mobile app in advance, generate the QR code before arriving at the gate and ensure younger travellers meet the 1.1-metre height requirement.
ImmD said feedback from trial users shows a 30 % reduction in processing time compared with conventional e-Channels, freeing officers to focus on exceptional-case screening and crowd flow management.
