Starting from February 2026, eligibility for Hong Kong e-Channels will be relaxed and procedures will be simplified

1、 Relaxation of eligibility: Free registration for airport visits to Hong Kong twice or more within 24 months

One of the core highlights of the e-Channel customs clearance convenience upgrade this time is the significant relaxation of eligibility restrictions for passengers to register and use the e-Channel. Previously, frequent visitors to Hong Kong had to meet a high frequency requirement in order to apply for e-Channel self-service customs clearance. Many occasional visitors found it difficult to enjoy this convenient service.

According to the new regulations, starting from February 2026, as long as passengers have visited Hong Kong twice or more through Hong Kong International Airport in the past 24 months, hold valid travel documents and multiple tourist visas (if applicable), and have no adverse records in Hong Kong, they can register and use the e-Channel self-service customs clearance service free of charge. After successful registration, passengers can use e-Channels at various entry and exit control points in Hong Kong without having to wait in line for manual inspection, greatly saving clearance time. It is especially suitable for business people, visiting tourists, and travel enthusiasts who frequently travel to and from Hong Kong.

The Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government stated that this relaxation of eligibility aims to cover more frequent visitors to Hong Kong. It is expected that 20% of foreign tourists will switch from manual counters to e-Channels during peak hours, which will not only reduce the manpower pressure at the port, but also release group travel quotas and improve overall customs clearance efficiency.

2、 Simplified Program: Electronic ID No need for fingerprint collection, 3 quick steps to complete registration

In addition to relaxing eligibility requirements, another popular measure to simplify the e-Channel registration process focuses on passengers holding electronic documents, significantly reducing the registration process and saving registration time, allowing convenient services to run through the entire process.

In the past, passengers registering for e-Channels required multiple steps such as fingerprint collection, identity verification, and document signing, which were relatively cumbersome and time-consuming. The new rules clarify that eligible passengers holding valid electronic travel documents do not need to collect fingerprints when registering at designated e-Channel registration offices. They only need to present their valid electronic documents used at the time of entry, take photos on site, and sign a consent form. The registration process is efficient and convenient, and no additional materials need to be prepared.

It should be noted that for passengers holding non electronic travel documents, the registration process for using e-Channels remains unchanged; When newly registered passengers use e-Channel for customs clearance, they only need to place their travel documents on the document reader. Electronic document passengers can complete facial recognition, while non electronic document passengers can complete fingerprint verification to quickly complete the entry and exit inspection. Upon entry, they will also receive an entry label containing the conditions and duration of stay, which needs to be properly stored.

3、 Multiple benefits: benefiting multiple parties and helping improve the quality and efficiency of cross-border exchanges

The upgraded convenience of e-Channel customs clearance not only benefits the vast number of visitors to Hong Kong, but also has a positive impact on various fields such as tourism, business, and people's livelihood in Hong Kong, injecting new vitality into cross-border exchanges between Hong Kong, the mainland, and the world.

For travelers, the relaxation of eligibility allows more people to enjoy the convenience of self-service customs clearance, especially for business people who frequently travel to and from Hong Kong. They no longer need to waste time queuing manually, greatly improving travel efficiency and reducing the occurrence of transit delays and other situations; Simplifying the program reduces the registration threshold, avoids the tedious process of fingerprint collection, and enhances the registration experience.

For Hong Kong, convenient customs clearance services can attract more tourists to visit, help the recovery of tourism, retail, catering and other industries, further strengthen Hong Kong's position as an international transportation hub, facilitate cross-border business exchanges and talent flow, and promote deep integration between Hong Kong and the mainland. Cathay Pacific and other airlines have pushed reminders in their applications, prompting eligible passengers to register for e-Channel services in a timely manner upon arrival, helping passengers quickly enjoy convenience.