I've had e-channel for a long time. With my newest residence permit (first one post-pandemic), I renewed e-channel at SHA a few weeks ago. They didn't need to take my biometrics or anything, as they could see I was already in the system. All they needed to do was update my visa (residence permit) info in the system with new visa number and expiration date, and I was good to go. I've already used it a few times afterwards with no issues (all at SHA).