eChannel
#16
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haining (1 hr from Shanghai) China
Programs: DL DM, AA Lifetime Plat, IHG SE
Posts: 1,466
I have now confirmed that both CAN and SZX immigration do not have desks for applying for E Channel. Still don't know when I'll enter China through a port that allows me to apply.
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,356
What do you mean? Dedicated desks? At PEK I just asked when I went through normal immigration. They made me wait a bit, scattered to find someone who could help, made me sign a form agreeing to data collection, and then processed it at an empty desk. There were no special eChannel application desks.
#18
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Shanghai
Posts: 42,041
What do you mean? Dedicated desks? At PEK I just asked when I went through normal immigration. They made me wait a bit, scattered to find someone who could help, made me sign a form agreeing to data collection, and then processed it at an empty desk. There were no special eChannel application desks.
#19
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haining (1 hr from Shanghai) China
Programs: DL DM, AA Lifetime Plat, IHG SE
Posts: 1,466
#20
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haining (1 hr from Shanghai) China
Programs: DL DM, AA Lifetime Plat, IHG SE
Posts: 1,466
What do you mean? Dedicated desks? At PEK I just asked when I went through normal immigration. They made me wait a bit, scattered to find someone who could help, made me sign a form agreeing to data collection, and then processed it at an empty desk. There were no special eChannel application desks.
In SZX, similar story, but the place allowed to apply is Shenzhen Bay Port, which would be nice for flights out of HKG, but my last flight into HKG arrived 2 hours late, past Shenzhen Bay opening hours, so had to go to Huanggang and wait in line forever (as posted above, iirc).
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,356
eChannel still working fine at PEK on exit and entry, although my thumbprint takes a while to work.
Note: the [rudimentary] secondary security screening after passport/exit check is no more.
Note: the [rudimentary] secondary security screening after passport/exit check is no more.
#22
Join Date: Mar 2013
Programs: Marriott Titanium
Posts: 284
I registered when returning last week. At PVG T1, the registration desk is just behind the eGates (don't go down to baggage claim). It took a little time but was not complicated. Last time I registered I had to complete a form, but this time they did everything for me and I just had to sign an electronic form.
#23
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Beijing
Programs: SK EBG, BAEC Gold
Posts: 933
E-channel worked for me this time (Nov 13th) exiting China at PKX (Daxing) - though I had to try three different gates before finding one that could read my passport chip (embedded in a thick polycarbonate passport info "page"). Post-midnight flight (PKX-DOH) so the airport was eerily quiet (and no queues either at security or passport control/e-gates).
#24
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haining (1 hr from Shanghai) China
Programs: DL DM, AA Lifetime Plat, IHG SE
Posts: 1,466
Can't wait to try it upon my next exit.
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
E-channel worked for me this time (Nov 13th) exiting China at PKX (Daxing) - though I had to try three different gates before finding one that could read my passport chip (embedded in a thick polycarbonate passport info "page"). Post-midnight flight (PKX-DOH) so the airport was eerily quiet (and no queues either at security or passport control/e-gates).
I registered when returning last week. At PVG T1, the registration desk is just behind the eGates (don't go down to baggage claim). It took a little time but was not complicated. Last time I registered I had to complete a form, but this time they did everything for me and I just had to sign an electronic form.
On Dec.2, applied e-channel at PKX after flight from KIX. International arrival at PKX was pretty empty. It took 5 min to get e-channel registered.
On Dec.12, tried to use e-channel at PVG to exit China. Passport scan worked but finger print did not open the gate. I had to go to regular passport control for manual check.
One official told me that it may not work for the first time after you get e-channel approved. He asked me try next time.
Is this nonsense?
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2010
Location: AVP & PEK
Programs: UA 1K 1.9MM
Posts: 6,356
On Dec.12, tried to use e-channel at PVG to exit China. Passport scan worked but finger print did not open the gate. I had to go to regular passport control for manual check.
One official told me that it may not work for the first time after you get e-channel approved. He asked me try next time.
Is this nonsense?
One official told me that it may not work for the first time after you get e-channel approved. He asked me try next time.
Is this nonsense?
I do find their thumb print machines are a bit, err...dodgy. Either that or my thumbprints aren't 'clean', and get too damaged from manual labor.
It takes a few goes sometimes, but eChannel has worked really well overall.
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: BOS, PVG
Programs: United 1K and 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 10,000
Mine worked on exit the first time after getting eChannel, but didn't work on 1st entry. YMMV.
I do find their thumb print machines are a bit, err...dodgy. Either that or my thumbprints aren't 'clean', and get too damaged from manual labor.
It takes a few goes sometimes, but eChannel has worked really well overall.
I do find their thumb print machines are a bit, err...dodgy. Either that or my thumbprints aren't 'clean', and get too damaged from manual labor.
It takes a few goes sometimes, but eChannel has worked really well overall.
#28
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Haining (1 hr from Shanghai) China
Programs: DL DM, AA Lifetime Plat, IHG SE
Posts: 1,466
Just did my first time exit at Kunming (guy seemed really surprised I wouldn't listen to him and go get in line for manual processing), but photo and fingerprint both worked fine. Then return was at Guangzhou -- same thing although there was someone checking all Chinese passports before letting them go to the e-Channel side. I said "I'm registered 我有申请” and he let me pass without even scrutiny of my passport like he was doing to Chinese citizen's passports.
My fingerprints seem good -- I never have ever had to place my four fingers again on the normal print reader.
My fingerprints seem good -- I never have ever had to place my four fingers again on the normal print reader.
#29
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: PVG
Programs: MU Platinum, HH Diamond
Posts: 829
Someone made a point on the TWOV since 2024 thread that impacts e-channel so I thought I'd bring it up here too.
I believe that itineraries and passenger manifests are reported to Chinese immigration at the point of departure. Chinese immigration then uses this info in a variety of ways, one of which is to approve entry via the e-channel. Case in point: I boarded a flight yesterday using one set of credentials, then tried to enter China via e-channel via another passport (the one registered for e-channel and that has my residence permit). I scanned my passport and was allowed into the fingerprint and facial rec check, but it wouldn't work. One of the workers came and asked me what flight I was on, clicked a few buttons on the other side, and my facial rec and thumb print went through.
This leads me to believe that e-channel checks (at least) 4 pieces of info:
1) Passport and whether you're registered for e-channel
2) Facial rec
3) Thumb print
4) Your arrival flight info
I always knew about 1-3, but 4 also makes sense... the fact that I used a different passport to board a flight meant that this info wasn't transmitted to China immigration ahead of time, and e-channel wouldn't allow me in without confirmation of #4 above.
Another implication is that China immigration can use this information to find out if someone has multiple passports, depending on what information is transmitted to China immigration by the airline.
I believe that itineraries and passenger manifests are reported to Chinese immigration at the point of departure. Chinese immigration then uses this info in a variety of ways, one of which is to approve entry via the e-channel. Case in point: I boarded a flight yesterday using one set of credentials, then tried to enter China via e-channel via another passport (the one registered for e-channel and that has my residence permit). I scanned my passport and was allowed into the fingerprint and facial rec check, but it wouldn't work. One of the workers came and asked me what flight I was on, clicked a few buttons on the other side, and my facial rec and thumb print went through.
This leads me to believe that e-channel checks (at least) 4 pieces of info:
1) Passport and whether you're registered for e-channel
2) Facial rec
3) Thumb print
4) Your arrival flight info
I always knew about 1-3, but 4 also makes sense... the fact that I used a different passport to board a flight meant that this info wasn't transmitted to China immigration ahead of time, and e-channel wouldn't allow me in without confirmation of #4 above.
Another implication is that China immigration can use this information to find out if someone has multiple passports, depending on what information is transmitted to China immigration by the airline.
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 10,228
Someone made a point on the TWOV since 2024 thread that impacts e-channel so I thought I'd bring it up here too.
I believe that itineraries and passenger manifests are reported to Chinese immigration at the point of departure. Chinese immigration then uses this info in a variety of ways, one of which is to approve entry via the e-channel. Case in point: I boarded a flight yesterday using one set of credentials, then tried to enter China via e-channel via another passport (the one registered for e-channel and that has my residence permit). I scanned my passport and was allowed into the fingerprint and facial rec check, but it wouldn't work. One of the workers came and asked me what flight I was on, clicked a few buttons on the other side, and my facial rec and thumb print went through.
This leads me to believe that e-channel checks (at least) 4 pieces of info:
1) Passport and whether you're registered for e-channel
2) Facial rec
3) Thumb print
4) Your arrival flight info
I always knew about 1-3, but 4 also makes sense... the fact that I used a different passport to board a flight meant that this info wasn't transmitted to China immigration ahead of time, and e-channel wouldn't allow me in without confirmation of #4 above.
Another implication is that China immigration can use this information to find out if someone has multiple passports, depending on what information is transmitted to China immigration by the airline.
I believe that itineraries and passenger manifests are reported to Chinese immigration at the point of departure. Chinese immigration then uses this info in a variety of ways, one of which is to approve entry via the e-channel. Case in point: I boarded a flight yesterday using one set of credentials, then tried to enter China via e-channel via another passport (the one registered for e-channel and that has my residence permit). I scanned my passport and was allowed into the fingerprint and facial rec check, but it wouldn't work. One of the workers came and asked me what flight I was on, clicked a few buttons on the other side, and my facial rec and thumb print went through.
This leads me to believe that e-channel checks (at least) 4 pieces of info:
1) Passport and whether you're registered for e-channel
2) Facial rec
3) Thumb print
4) Your arrival flight info
I always knew about 1-3, but 4 also makes sense... the fact that I used a different passport to board a flight meant that this info wasn't transmitted to China immigration ahead of time, and e-channel wouldn't allow me in without confirmation of #4 above.
Another implication is that China immigration can use this information to find out if someone has multiple passports, depending on what information is transmitted to China immigration by the airline.
Anyway, most important is that it seems to be working smoothly for everyone and we can save alot of time!