Hong Kong and Macau - Frequent Traveller Card and Frequent Visitor Automated Passenger Clearance

hi

I searched and found several threads on this, and a couple of threads actually asked the question but I couldn't see a reply...

I have a frequent traveller card, and later enrolled in the auto clearance - the one with the bar code on my passport.

I know the Frequent Traveller card can expire... but can the auto clearance? Or is it a case that now my passport is registered then I will have it for the life of my passport?

I have certainly requialified for my frequent traveller card, although I have been sent nothing and no email as they mention on their site... does this mean the auto clearance barcode replaces the need to have a new Freq Traveller Card?

Thanks in advance.

edited to add that re-reading the auto clearance section on the HK gov site it says that if I need to update my details, such as getting a new travel document, then I need to go back to the enrollment station... so maybe that does mean i have it for the life of the passport??

I have insufficient information to give hard info. However, my bar code still works even though my Frequent Traveller card expired last year. BTW this is the second time my FT card status expired; between the first and second times I was issued a new number.

Back to the bar code: I need to go out of my way and ask the nice Immigration people this question. If I get an answer I'll post on this thread.

I have insufficient information to give hard info. However, my bar code still works even though my Frequent Traveller card expired last year. BTW this is the second time my FT card status expired; between the first and second times I was issued a new number.

Back to the bar code: I need to go out of my way and ask the nice Immigration people this question. If I get an answer I'll post on this thread.

Thanks!

It seems encouraging that your FT card has expired but the barcode still works. This might correlate with the barcode statement that it only needs updating when your travel documents expire etc.

Perhaps the FT card won't get renewed for me (and you) anyway as we technically won't have three or more entries on it? (they are now via the barcode system??)

I do have a frequent visitor card however how do I get the bar code and what's the difference between the two? :confused:

Details here: http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/control/echannel.htm#fvapc

I do have a frequent visitor card however how do I get the bar code and what's the difference between the two? :confused:

I think one is run by the airport and one is run by HK Immigration.

You need to qualify for the barcode, which you do if you hold a Frequent Traveller Card (there are a couple of other ways too).

When you arrive there is a little booth (there must be a few dotted around the airport) - you go in and have your finger prints taken and your passport registered.

you then get a barcode affixed to the back of your passport.

From now on you can go to an e-channel gate, put your passport in... gate opens... you scan your finger... chit is dispensed giving you x number of days in HK... second gate opens and you're in HK!

Takes 15 seconds. Saves hours over a year compared to normal waiting lines. It is a little quicker than the Freq Trav card line. But it seems the barcode lasts until your passport expires (rather than the card which expires at 2 years).

We think! :)

To LHR/MEL/Europe FF:

I got the confirmation as to the expiration date (asked the nice Immigration lady whlle in transit going from airside to groundside and back to airside on Monday evening).

I was told that when we apply for the bar code, the immigration officer sets the expiration to be the same as the passport. When receiving a new passport we go back to Immigration and advise them of the change. They will quiz us on any updates and record, after which we are back in business, I presume with a new barcode on the new passport.


To 1K+:
The Frequent Visitor card scheme is run by the Airport Authority and gives you priority access to the visitors queue (line). I'm sure you've noticed the nice lady with a barcode reader where once you allow her to scan your card you go to the front of the line to process your entry via the immigration slip you filled out.

The barcode that is being discussed here is issued by the Immigration Department, HK Government. It allows you to use a select number of the E-Channel readers (needs to be a machine with a barcode scanning receptacle in addition to the smart ID card reader that HK residents use to enter HK). It's a label that is stuck to the back of your passport. Assuming the machine is happy with you, you wll be issued a receipt (no stamp/chop in passport) indicating how long you can legally stay. Aside from being faster than the regular line (processed by a human immigration officer), there are few to no people using the E Channel lines, also you need not fill out the immigration form. Be aware that the barcode privilege is only effective at HKG. If you enter or exit HK from any other border point (say Lo Wu), you have to line (queue) up and be processed by a live Immigration officer. To be clear the two programs are separate from each other.

thank you very much dsgtc0408 ^

I think one is run by the airport and one is run by HK Immigration.

You need to qualify for the barcode, which you do if you hold a Frequent Traveller Card (there are a couple of other ways too).

When you arrive there is a little booth (there must be a few dotted around the airport) - you go in and have your finger prints taken and your passport registered.

you then get a barcode affixed to the back of your passport.

From now on you can go to an e-channel gate, put your passport in... gate opens... you scan your finger... chit is dispensed giving you x number of days in HK... second gate opens and you're in HK!

Takes 15 seconds. Saves hours over a year compared to normal waiting lines. It is a little quicker than the Freq Trav card line. But it seems the barcode lasts until your passport expires (rather than the card which expires at 2 years).

We think! :)

To LHR/MEL/Europe FF:

I got the confirmation as to the expiration date (asked the nice Immigration lady whlle in transit going from airside to groundside and back to airside on Monday evening).

I was told that when we apply for the bar code, the immigration officer sets the expiration to be the same as the passport. When receiving a new passport we go back to Immigration and advise them of the change. They will quiz us on any updates and record, after which we are back in business, I presume with a new barcode on the new passport.


To 1K+:
The Frequent Visitor card scheme is run by the Airport Authority and gives you priority access to the visitors queue (line). I'm sure you've noticed the nice lady with a barcode reader where once you allow her to scan your card you go to the front of the line to process your entry via the immigration slip you filled out.

The barcode that is being discussed here is issued by the Immigration Department, HK Government. It allows you to use a select number of the E-Channel readers (needs to be a machine with a barcode scanning receptacle in addition to the smart ID card reader that HK residents use to enter HK). It's a label that is stuck to the back of your passport. Assuming the machine is happy with you, you wll be issued a receipt (no stamp/chop in passport) indicating how long you can legally stay. Aside from being faster than the regular line (processed by a human immigration officer), there are few to no people using the E Channel lines, also you need not fill out the immigration form. Be aware that the barcode privilege is only effective at HKG. If you enter or exit HK from any other border point (say Lo Wu), you have to line (queue) up and be processed by a live Immigration officer. To be clear the two programs are separate from each other.

Hi LHR/MEL/Europe FF and dsgtc0408, thanks for taking the time to provide a detailed summary below on the differences between the two. I truly appreciate you guys sharing your knowledge. Looks like I clearly need to get the barcode. I'm visiting HKG over the next couple of weeks and will be sure to get this barcode. Thanks again. ^^

I just tried to use the echannel at HKIA. The barcode could not be read. Anyone else encountered this issue?
I have contacted the FVC Administrator to seek some guidance on resolution.

The best thing about the barcode is that it doesnt require any passport stamps! Easily saving me probably a few extra pages a year.

Just wanted to bump this thread to point out that the Frequent Visitor eChannel is now available at land crossings as well as at HKG -- I've saved a ton of time in the last few weeks at Lo Wu thanks to this. Applications are still processed only at HKG as far as I know, but once you've registered, you can use the e-Channel anywhere.

Successfully enrolled visitors can use the Frequent Visitor e-Channels in the following control points.

Hong Kong International Airport
Lo Wu
Lok Ma Chau Spur Line
Shenzhen Bay
Macau Ferry Terminal
China Ferry Terminal

http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/control/echannel.htm/#fvapc

Also, regarding the airport Frequent Visitor card, it's closed to new applicants:

the HKIA Frequent Visitor Card (HKIA FVC) Programme has ceased to receive new applications from 8 Jun 2012.

http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/passenger/arrival/t1/airport-services-facilities/frequent-visitor-channel.html

Just for us simple peasants: I've got a valid HKIA FVC. Is it possible to arrive HKG in the morning, apply for e-channel access and then head over to Lo Wu and Shenzhen all during the same day?

Just for us simple peasants: I've got a valid HKIA FVC. Is it possible to arrive HKG in the morning, apply for e-channel access and then head over to Lo Wu and Shenzhen all during the same day?

can't see why not. I had a fvc, 'upgraded' to the e-channel after an arriving flight, then used the e-channel to exit the airport straight away. so it's certainly instant (for the airport at least, guess the other borders are on the same system...)

When receiving a new passport we go back to Immigration and advise them of the change. They will quiz us on any updates and record, after which we are back in business, I presume with a new barcode on the new passport.

I've done this before, there's a desk to approach right after the immigration counters in HKIA. They stuck a new barcode to my new passport after checking the new details.

Today I got the message that my Frequent Visitor Card have been extended and will expire 2016. They said no new card will be dispatched, and I reckon it is because the above mentioned close down for new applicants.

However - the barcode on my card is a bit scratched and they usually have problems scanning it. So I was really looking forward to a new card. Anyone know if it is possible to get it replaced at HKIA?

(I am aware of the e-channel option, but I prefer using the FVC)

Today I got the message that my Frequent Visitor Card have been extended and will expire 2016. They said no new card will be dispatched, and I reckon it is because the above mentioned close down for new applicants.

However - the barcode on my card is a bit scratched and they usually have problems scanning it. So I was really looking forward to a new card. Anyone know if it is possible to get it replaced at HKIA?

(I am aware of the e-channel option, but I prefer using the FVC)

I think the plan is that everyone will switch to auto gate, or the APAC card will still be able to use the priority channel. If you have issues with your bar code you should just get it replaced at HKIA I think.

so from what i gather, the FVC card program is closed as of JUN 08... however, is it still possible to get the barcode on my passport if i show that i have a qualifying frequent flyer card?

i will be passing by HK next week, so it would be great to get my US passport barcoded so i dont have to deal with lines in the future

so from what i gather, the FVC card program is closed as of JUN 08... however, is it still possible to get the barcode on my passport if i show that i have a qualifying frequent flyer card?

i will be passing by HK next week, so it would be great to get my US passport barcoded so i dont have to deal with lines in the future

correct - that's the whole point :) to replace the FVCs with the barcode.

correct - that's the whole point :) to replace the FVCs with the barcode.

thx for the reply.. does the e-channel for foreigners work at all HK border crossings? ie macau ferry terminal, luohu railstation?

thx for the reply.. does the e-channel for foreigners work at all HK border crossings? ie macau ferry terminal, luohu railstation?

you'll need to google that. I read that it HAS been expanded to a whole bunch more border points, but I'm not exactly sure which ones.

thx for the reply.. does the e-channel for foreigners work at all HK border crossings? ie macau ferry terminal, luohu railstation?

e-Channel for optical scan documents (e.g. frequent visitor e-Channel and mainland visitors e-Channel) is available at Hong Kong International Airport, Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, Shenzhen Bay, Macau Ferry Terminal, and China Ferry Terminal border checkpoints.

Off the top of my head, this leaves Huanggang, Futian, Shekou, and Hung Hom as the main checkpoints where only HKID holders have e-Channel access.

It's my understanding that HK IMMD is gradually replacing all e-Channel gates to support both the frequent visitor and mainlander e-Channels.

Is it possible to apply frequent traveller card online? Or, must it be done in person?

Is it possible to apply frequent traveller card online? Or, must it be done in person?

As you may read in post #13 above, the program is closed for new applicants.

e-Channel for optical scan documents (e.g. frequent visitor e-Channel and mainland visitors e-Channel) is available at Hong Kong International Airport, Lo Wu, Lok Ma Chau Spur Line, Shenzhen Bay, Macau Ferry Terminal, and China Ferry Terminal border checkpoints.

Off the top of my head, this leaves Huanggang, Futian, Shekou, and Hung Hom as the main checkpoints where only HKID holders have e-Channel access.

The list of available border point is correct, the ones that don't have them are: Hung Hom, Lok Ma Chau (i.e. Huanggang), Man Kam To, Sha Tau Kok and Tuen Mun Pier.

[Futian in China connects to the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line; Shekou in China is the Shenzhen Bay control point.]

When first enrolling to use e-channel after arriving at HKG, do you do so before or after clearing Immigration? The map on the official website seems to indicate that the offices for doing so are after Immigration, but before bag claim and Customs. Yet, one poster said this:

can't see why not. I had a fvc, 'upgraded' to the e-channel after an arriving flight, then used the e-channel to exit the airport straight away. so it's certainly instant (for the airport at least, guess the other borders are on the same system...)

That would seem to imply that the enrollment office is BEFORE Immigration, assuming that my understanding is correct in that the automated gates replace the Immigration booths and are not at the final exit (i.e. Customs).

When first enrolling to use e-channel after arriving at HKG, do you do so before or after clearing Immigration? The map on the official website seems to indicate that the offices for doing so are after Immigration, but before bag claim and Customs. Yet, one poster said this:



That would seem to imply that the enrollment office is BEFORE Immigration, assuming that my understanding is correct in that the automated gates replace the Immigration booths and are not at the final exit (i.e. Customs).

there may be multiple places to enrol, but when I did it it was after disembarking, just before border control iirc. it may have changed by now... I got mine just as they introduced it, so they might have had lots of them to try and process as many pax as possible? I only noticed it because there was a banner sign advertising it. we went into a small room and everything was processed there.

with new barcode on passport I then went and tried it out for the first time to 'land' myself in hong kong :)

Afaik, the enrollment place is (and has always been) after immigration and before entering the luggage hall.

Afaik, the enrollment place is (and has always been) after immigration and before entering the luggage hall.

So, that being the case, you need to stand in the normal Immigration lines on your enrollment visit, then visit the enrollment office, and then the first time you'd use eChannel would be when you EXIT Hong Kong for that visit and not during the arrival that you're currently in the process of completing.

This is different than what LHR/MEL/Europe FF describes, but that's only one data point, and his experience could have been different for any number of reasons and it's not particularly important to figure out why. I'm just trying to understand what the current, standard procedure is, mainly so that I don't go past some "point of no return" upon arrival and then find myself unable to register until the next visit. It sounds like the current procedure is to stand in the regular Immigration line, then go to the eChannel enrollment office after that but before baggage claim and Customs.

Correct. Unless you have a frequent visitor card (which allows the use of an express line), you will have to stand in the regular immigration line before enrollment. Here are the details for Frequent Visitor e-Channel enrollment. (http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/control/echannel.htm#fvapc)

When first enrolling to use e-channel after arriving at HKG, do you do so before or after clearing Immigration? The map on the official website seems to indicate that the offices for doing so are after Immigration, but before bag claim and Customs. Yet, one poster said this:
<snip>
That would seem to imply that the enrollment office is BEFORE Immigration, assuming that my understanding is correct in that the automated gates replace the Immigration booths and are not at the final exit (i.e. Customs).

there may be multiple places to enrol, but when I did it it was after disembarking, just before border control iirc. it may have changed by now... I got mine just as they introduced it, so they might have had lots of them to try and process as many pax as possible? I only noticed it because there was a banner sign advertising it. we went into a small room and everything was processed there.


When I first enrolled it was at the office just below Gates 1-4 at the arrivals area, before passing through immigration.
(See the map on this page: http://www.jal.co.jp/en/jmb/new_rule/frequent.html)

From the link provided by jpdx I guess they removed it and limited it to enrolling at the offices which are after immigration.

When I first enrolled it was at the office just below Gates 1-4 at the arrivals area, before passing through immigration.
(See the map on this page: http://www.jal.co.jp/en/jmb/new_rule/frequent.html)

From the link provided by jpdx I guess they removed it and limited it to enrolling at the offices which are after immigration.

ah yes - that must have been the one I used (gates 1-4).

Correct. Unless you have a frequent visitor card (which allows the use of an express line), you will have to stand in the regular immigration line before enrollment. Here are the details for Frequent Visitor e-Channel enrollment. (http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immigration/control/echannel.htm#fvapc)

OK, so which frequent flyer programs are part of the e-channel "scheme"?

OK, so which frequent flyer programs are part of the e-channel "scheme"?

Cathay Pacific's Marco Polo Club members automatically qualify for the e-channel application.

i have successfully enrolled, and sometimes it works perfectly and i can zip thru in seconds. however, sometimes after i do the fingerprint, the screen says WAIT A MOMENT, and then the immigration officer manning the e-channel will come over and look at my passport, press some buttons on his PDA, and either wave me thru or walk me to an immigration booth (lets me cut to front of line) where my passport gets stamped

this has happened 3 times now, about 25% of the time.

Cathay Pacific's Marco Polo Club members automatically qualify for the e-channel application.

So MPC Green? Sweet. Well worth the cash. I like flying to HKG, getting through faster is even better. :D

At the Luo Hu border crossing, right when you get to the foreigners' section of the queue, there's an horrid odor. Can holders of the FVC title get herded through the part with something a little more welcoming than that?

Bizarre rant aside, that you can now use the clearance at the Luo Hu border is a bigger treat than actually being in either Shenzhen or Hong Kong~.