Security features including Stereo Laser Image with portrait and a transparent window containing personalised data help further protect HKICs against forgeries.

With the rapid development of the Hong Kong economy, the number of residents travelling abroad for leisure or business has been on the rise. To enhance the clearance efficiency of immigration control points, ImmD has already introduced the use of information technology by issuing smart Hong Kong Identity Cards (HKICs) to Hong Kong residents since June 2003. This move was closely followed by the launch of the Automated Passenger Clearance System (e-Channels) in December 2004. By employing fingerprint verification technology for identity verification, e-Channels allow Hong Kong residents to perform self-service immigration clearance—removing the constraints of previous manual counter-service clearance methods.

Since the roll-out of e-Channels, ImmD has been proactively enhancing this service by expanding the eligibility criteria of users—allowing even more travellers to perform self-service immigration clearance. In October 2017, through the application of facial recognition technology to e-Channels, ImmD launched the self-service departure (Smart Departure) for visitors to Hong Kong—allowing eligible visitors to perform self-service departure clearance without prior enrolment. Moreover, following the commission of the West Kowloon Station of the Express Rail Link and the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge Hong Kong Port in 2018, there are now more than 700 multi-purpose e-Channels across all immigration control points. All these e-Channels, utilised by Hong Kong residents and visitors, help further streamline passenger traffic.

”Self-service Registration Kiosks” and ”Self-service Collection Kiosks” are introduced to facilitate the smart identity card replacement process.

ImmD launched the territory-wide identity card replacement exercise on 27 December 2018. The exercise aims to replace all existing smart HKICs in phases, which is expected to conclude by 2022. With the application of information technology and the enhancement of the replacement process for the “Next Generation Smart Identity Card System”, the processing time for replacement of a smart HKIC will be shortened from 60 minutes to 30 minutes. Further, the processing time for issuing a new card will also be shortened from ten to seven working days.

The new smart HKIC, made of high-quality polycarbonate material, features the latest sophisticated security features. In addition to a contact chip interface, the new smart HKIC also supports a contactless chip interface which uses close-range wireless transmissions. At an e-Channel, travellers may simply place the new smart HKIC onto an optical card reader instead of inserting it into a card reader for data access, thus reducing the wear and tear to the card and chip—making immigration clearance more convenient and efficient. Further, the chip of the new smart HKIC has a higher storage capacity, allowing storage of a higher resolution photo image and updated fingerprint templates for more secure and accurate identity verification.

ImmD is always committed to protecting personal data privacy. The new smart HKIC adopts multi-dimensional security measures to further strengthen its data protection. A HKIC holder must take out his/her identity card and place it directly onto an authorised optical card reader to initiate the access to the chip data. This data transmission function can only be activated after the chip has gone through a two-level authentication process. Additionally, all communication and data transmissions are encrypted to ensure the whole process is secure.

Immigration clearance has never been easier with e-Channel smart technology and overhead LED display boards.

To support the use of the new smart HKIC, ImmD has fully upgraded its immigration clearance system by equipping existing e-Channels with optical card readers and introducing newly designed multi-purpose e-Channels.

The design of the new e-Channels has been optimised with enhanced aesthetics and ergonomics, as well as higher operational efficiency and more convenient servicing procedures. The new e-Channels adopt a modular design, which allows more flexible hardware maintenance and deployment. When an individual component needs repair, technical staff can quickly replace it to enable a rapid resumption of the e-Channel service. The new e-Channels also have higher potential for function upgrades to help meet future business requirements.

ImmD has all along adopted a people-oriented approach—providing efficient, high-quality services to residents and visitors. As the digital landscape continually develops, ImmD will continue to stay abreast of technological trends and always strive for excellence.