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From Tuesday (September 12) e-channel services will be extended to people holding valid smart identity cards who have the right to land or are on unconditional stay in Hong Kong, and non-permanent residents who have been issued with a notification label. From the same date, their travel documents will not be endorsed with arrival/departure stamps when they are presented for immigration clearance at traditional counters.
The Immigration Department said that currently, e-channel services were provided to valid smart identity card holders who are Hong Kong permanent residents aged 11 or above and holders of Documents of Identity for Visa Purpose.
To ensure that non-permanent residents who use e-channel services and enjoy the non-stamping arrangements are informed that they remain subject to the limit of stay and other conditions of stay, notification labels will be issued from Tuesday to the following categories of non-permanent residents upon their entry/re-entry to Hong Kong at immigration control points:
(i) those admitted for professional employment;
(ii) those admitted under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme or Quality Migrant Admission Scheme;
(iii) those admitted as dependants; and
(iv) those who are subject to limit of stay only.
The above categories of non-permanent residents who are currently in Hong Kong may apply to the Immigration Department for the notification label free of charge. They can also wait to have the notification label issued when they apply for and are granted extension of stay in Hong Kong.
Organisations or companies with employees who belong to the above categories of non-permanent residents may contact the Immigration Department at 2829 3112 to make arrangements to submit applications for the notification label in batches.
For consular posts and officially recognised representatives in the Hong Kong SAR, the Immigration Department will make separate arrangements for the issue of notification labels.
The spokesman said that Hong Kong residents must bring along their valid travel documents and Hong Kong identity cards, if any, for immigration clearance. Passengers with fingertips too dry, moist or unclean could encounter difficulties with fingerprint verification when using e-channels for immigration clearance. To avoid delay, they should moisten, wipe or clean their fingers before entering e-channels.
The above measures are not applicable to people admitted to study, foreign domestic helpers and imported workers. There will be no change to the current immigration clearance procedures in respect of these categories.
"The e-channel service will be extended by phases to other categories of Hong Kong residents. An announcement will be made in due course," the spokesman said.
Enquiries can be made with the Immigration Department at 2824 6111.
Ends/Thursday, September 7, 2006
Issued at HKT 17:31
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