Always Flyin

I was never advised of an expiration date, but I renewed my passport so had to renew E-Channel at that time.

I was not asked for a frequent flier card on renewal. They took the sticker off the old passport, threw it away, and put a new one on my new passport.

The only change I don't like is that the office is now after immigration than before, as it used to be. Rather silly.

Steve M

I think others have reported that it's valid until 6 months before your passport's expiration, not 6 months from enrollment.

kilo

Or possibly ignorance on the part of the 1K voice agent.

lax2010

What is the application procedure? Dies one fill out a paper form at the e-channel office at the airport and get approval right at the spot?

When looking for the application office at the airport, does it actually say e-channel office or something else?

Thanks!

Always Flyin

Mine worked 5-months before expiration.

Actually, the passport had been replaced, but the cancellation punches didn't affect the HKG sticker so it still worked to get me through immigration so I could renew.

There are two offices, both of which are after immigration. There is a small sign in front of each. Just ask the immigration officer as you go through immigration.

Although they are after the immigration booths, they are before you enter the baggage claim area so if you do through the pocket doors, you have gone too far.

You just need to bring your passport and your frequent flyer card.

dvs7310

It's right behind the immigration counters after you go through passport control. It does have a sign, though not a large one, you do have to look for it. Do not go through the sliding doors to baggage claim/customs.

It is indeed done on the spot, takes about 5 minutes from sitting down and handing over your stuff to walking out with the sticker on your passport. There was some form to fill out, though it's minimal.

I absolutely love having the access as entry/exit is so much smoother... especially at the land borders with China. Unfortunately the last couple of times I was with my SO and she wasn't eligible so had to wait for her anyway. We're back in January, she's both Premier now and will be her 3rd air entry in 12 months so finally can get sticker as well.

lax2010

Thanks for the info. So what does one do with the sticker? Is that a machine readable sticker or does it allow one to use a special lane? Again, thanks!

Always Flyin

Machine readable bar code they place on the back cover of your passport.

lax2010

Great! Thanks for the info.

USHPNWDLUA

Yes, it is a barcode that the e-channel system reads. According to the website for HKSAR immigration, the system will read the barcode to first authenticate your document. Then you step into the channel and have your enrolled fingerprint read. Then you get a slip printed from the system and you're on your way.

The GovHK Immigration page is here.
There is a good video on YouTube here.

kilo

It is worth noting that your the e-channels can read your passport as well. Just in case your barcode frays or comes off.

a9504477

I wasn't aware of that; useful to know (so far the barcode has worked all the time without problem).

drewguy

They asked on the form, and gave the person in front of me a hard time, although perhaps she wasn't using FF card. I had put down 3 so it was a non-issue for me, but I'm not sure they would waive it. According to the website information it is either/or: ff card (or other docs) or 3+ visits.

http://www.gov.hk/en/residents/immig...nnel.htm#fvapc

In my case it was unavoidable - the office at the end I used was closed, and it appeared there was no way to stay inside the immigration area and get to the other end - the guard told me to go in the sliding door further down, which I did and wasn't given any trouble.
Were you able to use e-channel on your expired passport on the trip you renewed e-channel (i.e., could you go through the e-channel using the barcode on your expired passport)?

CDKing

ive done several entries and exits from air and boat at Hong Kong since summer 2011, of course just spread out enough not to hit 3 times in 1 year span. I wish i had realized this on my second visit (when I first hit 1K). So much time wasted for no reason

georgemcbride

My UA Gold Status got it for my earlier this month when I enrolled. There were two people in front of me and I was still done in less than 10 minutes.